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1  \r 


A  HISTORY 


OF  THE 


Origin  of  the  Place  Names 


CONNECTED   WITH 


THE 
CHICAGO   &  NORTH   WESTERN 


AND 


CHICAGO,  ST.  PAUL,  MINNEAPOLIS  &  OMAHA 

RAILWAYS 


"Local  names — whether  they  belong  to  provinces,  cities 
and  villages  or  are  the  designation  of  rivers  and 
mountains — are  never  mere  arbitrary  sounds  devoid  of 
meaning.  They  may  almost  always  be  regarded  as 
records  of  the  past,  inviting  and  rewarding  a  careful 
historical  interpretation." 

Isaac  Taylor  in  "  Words  and  Places." 


SECOND    EDITION 


Compiled   by 

ONE  WHO  FOR   MORE  THAN    34  YEARS  HAS  BEEN 
AN   OFFICER   IN  THE    EMPLOY    OF    THE    SYSTEM. 


CHICAGO 
1908 


F 
591 

b .  I 


CONTENTS 


Page 

Introduction       -----  ...  I 

History,  in  alphabetical  order,  of  the  names  of  the  states  the 

North  Western  traverses     -         -  -  7~9 

History,  in  alphabetical  order,  of   the   names   of  the  counties 

the  North  Western  passes  through     -  -  n-33 

'  History,  in    alphabetical   order,  of  the    places   (cities,   towns, 

villages  and  stations)  the  North  Western  passes  through  -     35-142 

^The    list,    in    alphabetical   order,  of  the   old    and   abandoned 

names  of  the  places  the  North  Western  traverses      -         -   143-150 


t 


History,  in    alphabetical    order,  of    the    names    of    the    states 

the  Omaha  road  traverses  ------   157-158 

History,  in   alphabetical  order,  of  the  names  of  the  counties 

the  Omaha  road  passes  through  -----  159-165 

History,  in  alphabetical  order,  of  the  names  of  the  places 
(cities,  towns,  villages  and  stations)  the  Omaha  road 
passes  through    ---------   166-198 

The    list,   in    alphabetical   order,  of    the    old    and  abandoned 

names  of  the  places  the  Omaha  road  passes  through     -   199-201 


INTRODUCTION 

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 


The  primary  purpose  of  this  volume  is  to  supply  authentic  information  as  to 
the  origin  and  derivation  of  the  names  of  the  towns,  cities  and  villages  which  are 
located  on  the  Chicago  and  North  Western  and  the  St.  Paul,  Minneapolis  and 
Omaha  Kailways.  In  those  instances  where  said  names  have  some  special  meaning 
or  significance,  such  meaning  or  significance  is  noted. 

While  it  was  not  in  the  plan  of  the  work  to  furnish  a  history  of  the  various 
places  referred  to,  it  has  nevertheless  often  happened  that  the  meaning  or  deriva- 
tion of  a  name  could  only  be  made  clear  by  introducing  more  or  less  information 
of  an  historic  character.     In  such  instances,  the  historic  statement  has  been  used. 

In  compiling  the  work,  voluminous  correspondence  has  been  had  with  state, 
county,  city  and  town  officials,  for  the  purpose  of  gaining  authentic  information, 
and  of  eliminating  local,  fanciful  and  unreliable  legends.  Local  legends  are  gen- 
erally the  offspring  of  the  imagination,  or  of  personal  vanity,  and  where  reliable 
data  is  the  end  which  is  sought,  are  worthless.  As  far  as  possible  these  imagi- 
native and  local  legends  and  "travelers'  stories"  have  been  eliminated  and 
established  facts  alone  have  been  accepted.  While  it  is  true  that  the  investigations 
of  the  writer  have  shattered  many  pretty  romances,  it  i9  not  unlikely  that  others 
have  escaped  his  notice  and  may  yet  be  handed  down  as  history. 

In  some  cases  positive  evidence  concerning  names  and  their  origin,  has  already 
been  lost,  and  in  such  cases,  the  best  possible  information  attainable  has  been 
used. 

Leger,  in  his  "Wisconsin  Place  Names"  says:  "As  a  rule,  (which,  however, 
has  notable  exceptions),  it  will  be  found  that  the  streams  and  lakes  and  moun- 
tains preserve  the  names  given  them  by  the  Bed  Men,  or  their  equivalent  in 
European  tongues:  many  of  the  cities  and  villages  bear  names  transplanted  from 
European  soil.  Thus  may  be  found  scattered  over  this  continent  in  juxtaposition 
to  names  of  undoubted  Indian  origin,  a  nomenclature  whereby  the  immigrant  exiles 
sought  to  preserve  in  the  wilderness,  the  associations  endeared  to  them  in  youth. ' ' 

Many  of  the  recently  adopted  names  were  selected  for  their  brevity,  or  to  avoid 
the  objections  of  the  United  States  General  Postoffice  Department.  Many  of  the 
names  were  manufactured  expressly  for  the  place  and  have  neither  sense  nor 
fitness,  but  as  they  have  been  registered  in  county  records,  they  necessarily 
appear   here. 

To  secure  the  true  history  of  the  origin  of  many  of  the  names  has  cost 
immense  labor.  As  an  illustration,  attention  is  called  to  the  name  Marinesco. 
To  get  the  facts  about  that  name  the  Compiler  was  obliged  to  write  more  than 
one   hundred  letters! 

The  oldest  as  well  as  the  most  modern  records  of  cities,  towns  and  villages 
have  been  ransacked.  The  journals  and  other  papers  preserved  at  the  state  cap- 
itols  and  at  county  seats;  the  records  of  state  historical  societies,  and  local 
and  state  histories,  have  been  searched  and  their  stories  freely  used.  Henry 
Gannett 's  admirable  "Origin  of  Certain  Place  Names,"  has  given  a  great  and 
valuable  fund  of  reliable  information.  This  has  been  freely  used  without  ac- 
knowledgment, but  which  is  now  tendered  to  the  fullest  extent. 

Indian  records,  the  "Jesuit  Relations"  and  the  like,  have  been  freely 
used  and  relied  upon,  as  they  are  generally  reliable. 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Link 


During  the  thirty-five  consecutive  years  of  the  administration  of  Mr.  Marvin 
Hughitt,  now  President  of  the  Chicago  and  North  Western  Railway,  the  mileage 
of  the  road  has  increased  nearly  four-fold,  and  the  railway  stations  are  nearly 
three  times  as  great  as  at  the  beginning  of  his  service.  Literally,  hundreds  of 
these  miles  of  railroad  were  built  through  virgin  territory  and  far  beyond  the 
picket  line  of  the  white  man's  settlements.  Mr.  Hughitt  thus  created  the  necessity 
for  new  stations  and  either  suggested  or  approved  their  names.  His  personality 
is,  therefore,  in  one  way  or  another  interwoven  with  the  origin  and  development 
of  hundreds  of  western  towns,  and  to  him,  more  than  to  any  other  one  person  or 
agency,  is  to  be  attributed  the  fact  that  these  towns  were  called  into  existence. 

The  writer  of  this  history  has  been  much  more  editor  than  author  and  much 
more  collator  and  compiler,  than  either.  He  has  not  aimed  to  originate  anything, 
but  merely  to  record  and  preserve  that  which,  after  almost  infinite  care  in  the  pro- 
cesses of  culling,  selecting  and  sifting  of  material  received  from  countless  sources, 
seemed  to  be  worthy  of  permanent  preservation.  His  effort  has  been  to  hold  fast 
to  the  grain  and  to  discard  the  chaff. 

The  Compiler  is  especially  indebted  to  Mr.  P.  E.  Hall  of  Cedar  Kapids, 
Iowa,  for  many  facts  as  to  the  place  names  in  Iowa  and  Nebraska;  to  Mr. 
Doane  Robinson,  the  accomplished  secretary  of  the  State  Historical  Society  of 
South  Dakota;  to  G.  F.  West  and  Lewis  S.  Reid  of  Omaha,  Nebraska;  to  General 
W.  H.  H.  Beadle,  Madison,  South  Dakota;  to  ex-Governor  W.  IT.  Upham  of  Wis- 
consin; to  Hon.  E.  W.  Keyes  of  Madison,  Wisconsin;  to  Mr.  Peter  White  of 
Marquette,  Michigan;  to  ex-United  States  Senator  Alger  of  Michigan;  to  Sen- 
ator John  Gavney  of  Wisconsin;  to  Hon.  Warren  Upham,  secretary  of  the 
Minnesota  State  Historical  Society;  to  Mr.  R.  G.  Thwaites  of  the  State  Histori- 
cal Society  of  Wisconsin;  to  Mr.  A.  C.  Johnson  of  Winona,  Minnesota;  to  Gen- 
eral J.  W.  Bishop,  to  Messrs.  L.  A.  Robinson,  T.  W.  Teasdale,  and  Capt.  E.  E. 
Woodman  of  St.  Paul,  Minnesota,  and  to  almost  countless  correspondents,  for  the 
facts  they  had  to  give  and  who  gave  freely.  To  all  of  these  most  cordial 
thanks  are  due  and  are  here  tendered. 

The  following  together  with  many  other  works  were  carefully  examined,  and 
much  valuable  information  was  secured  therefrom: 

"Indian  Local  Names  and  Their  Interpretations,"  by  S.  G.  Boyd.  "In- 
dian Linguistic  Families  of  America,"  by  J.  W.  Powell.  "Aboriginal  Races 
of  North  America,"  by  S.  G.  Drake.  "The  Menominee  Indians,"  by  W.  J. 
Hoffman.  "Vocabularies  of  Tribes  of  the  North  West,"  by  W.  H.  Dall.  "Da- 
kota-English Dictionary,"  by  S.  R.  Riggs.  "Reports  of  the  Bureau  of  Ameri- 
can Ethnology,"  by  J.  W.  Powell.  "Indian  Dictionary,"  by  Bishop  Fredrich 
Baraga.  "Reports  of  the  Exploring  Expeditions  of  John  C.  Fremont."  "His- 
tory of  the  Expedition  Under  Lewis  and  Clark."  "The  Narrative  of  an  Expe- 
dition to  the  Sources  of  the  St..  Peter's  River,  etc.,  Under  the  Command  of 
Stephen  H.  Long."  "The  Story  of  the  Expeditions  of  Grosielliers  and  Radia- 
son,"  by  H.  C.  Campbell.  "Father  Marquette,  Joliet  and  Other  Early  Mis- 
sionaries, Travelers  and  Traders."  "The  American  Indian,"  by  E.  M.  Haines. 
"Barrett  and  Johnson's  Histories  of  Nebraska."  "The  Transactions  of  the 
Wisconsin  Academy  of  Science."  "Leger's  Wisconsin  Place  Names."  Mrs. 
Kinzie's  "Wauban. "  G.  W.  Butterfield  's  "Stephen  Brule's  Discoveries  and 
Explorations,"  and  the  many  volumes  of  "Early  Western  Travels"  edited  by 
R.  G.  Thwaites.  All  of  these  have  furnished  many  curious  and  accurate  facts 
that  have  been  freely  appropriated. 

THE  COMPILER. 

Chicago,  Illinois,  December  31,  1907. 


AS  TO  THE 

Chicago  &  North  Western 
Railway. 


CHICAGO     &     NORTH     WESTERN 
RAILWAY     COMPANY 


DIRECTORS 


MARVIN  HUGHITT 
FRANK  WORK     -      - 
JAMES  STILLMAN    - 
OLIVER  AMES     - 
ZENAS  CRANE     - 
W.  K.  VANDERBILT 
F.  W.  VANDERBILT 
H.  McK.  TVVOMBLY 


Chicago 

-  New  York 

-  New  York 

-    Boston 

Dalton,  Mass. 

New  York 

•    New  York 

-     -    New  York 

E.  E.  OSBORN       - 


byron  l.  smith 
cyrus  h.  Mccormick 
chauncey  keep  - 
chauncey  m.  depew 
samuel  f.  barger   - 
james  c.  fargo     -    - 
henry  c.  frick    - 
david  p.  kimball 
-    New  York 


Chicago 
Chicago 
Chicago 

-  New  York 

-  New  York 

-  New  York 
Pittsburgh,  Pa. 

-    Boston 


EXECUTIVE    COMMITTEE 


MARVIN  HUGHITT 

CHAUNCEY  M.  DEPEW 

SAMUEL  F.  BARGER 

HENRY  C.  FRICK 


H.  McK.  TWOMBLY 

DAVID  P.  KIMBALL 

W.  K.  VANDERBILT 

JAMES  C.  FARGO 


GENERAL  OFFICERS 


President 

Vice-President  and  Secretary 
Vice-President        - 
Vice-President        - 


MARVIN  HUGHITT    - 
EUGENE  E.  OSBORN       -      -      - 
HIRAM  R.  McCULLOUGH    -      - 
WILLIAM  A.  GARDNER       -      - 

M.M.KIRKMAN Vice-President 

JOHN  M.WHITMAN Vice-President        -------- 

R.H.WILLIAMS Treasurer  and  Assistant  Secretary    - 

M.  B.  VAN  ZANDT Assistant  Treasurer  and  Assistant  Secretary 

J.  B.  REDFIELD     -      -  -      -      -      Auditor  and  Assistant  Secretary 

LLOYD  W.  BOWERS        -      -      -      -      General  Counsel 

W.  H.  STENNETT Auditor  of  Expenditures 

RICHARD  H.  AISHTON         -      -      -      General  Manager 

FRANK  WALTERS     -      -      -      -  General  Manager 

WILLIAM  D.  CANTILLON 

MARVIN  HUGHITT,  Jr.         -      - 

EDMUND  D.  BRIGHAM         -      - 

WARREN  B.  KNISKERN       -      - 

CHARLES  A.  CAIRNS      -      -      - 

WILLIAM  E.  MORSE       -      -      - 

STANLEY  M. BRADEN    -      -      - 

EDWARD  C.  CARTER     -      -      - 

LESTER  S.  CARROLL     -      -      - 

JOSIAH  F.  CLEVELAND       -      - 

FRANK  P.  CRANDON      -      -      - 

ROBERT  QUAYLE     -      -      -      - 


Assistant  General  Manager    -      -      -      - 
Freight  Traffic  Manager         ...      - 

General  Freight  Agent 

Passenger  Traffic  Manager     - 
General  Passenger  and  Ticket  Agent 

General  Superintendent 

General  Superintendent 

Chief  Engineer 

Purchasing  Agent 

Land  Commissioner    -      - 

Tax  Commissioner 

Superintendent  of  Motive  Power  and  Machinery 


Chicago 

-  New  York 

Chicago 
Chicago 
Chicago 

-  .  Chicago 

-  New  York 

-  New  York 

Chicago 
Chicago 
Chicago 
Chicago 
Omaha 
Chicago 
Chicago 
Chicago 
Chicago 
Chicago 
Chicago 
Norfolk,  Neb. 
Chicago 
Chicago 
Chicago 
Chicago 
Chicago 


CHICAGO  OFFICE      - 
NEW  YORK  OFFICE 


215  JACKSON  BOULEVARD 
-      -        in  BROADWAY 


December  31,  1907 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 


MILES  OF  RAILROAD 

The  total  number  of  miles  of  railroad  owned  June  30,  1907,  was  7,407,71  miles. 
In  addition  to  which  the  company  operated: 
Under  Lease — 

Manitowoc,  Green  Bay  &  North   Western 
Railway,  viz: 

Manitowoc  to   Eland  Jet.,  Wis...  106.30  miles 
Pulaski   to   Gillett,   Wis 16.90     " 


123.20  miles 
Pt.   Paul,   Eastern    Grand   Trunk  Railway 

(Clintonville     to     Oconto,     Wis.,     and 

branches)     60.02     ' ' 

DePue,    Ladd    &    Eastern    Railway     (Ladd    to 

Seatonville,    111.) 3.25     ' ' 


186.47 


Under  Trackage  Rights — 

Peoria  &  Pekin  Union  Railway   (in  the  city  of 

Peoria,    111.)     2.02 

Indiana,  Illinois  &  Iowa  Railroad  (Churchill  to 
Ladd,    111.) 2.80 

Union     Pacific     Railroad      (Broadway     Station, 

Council  Bluffs,  Iowa,  to  South  Omaha,  Neb.)     8.73 

Chicago,  St.  Paul,  Minneapolis  &  Omaha  Rail- 
way  (Blair  to  Omaha,  Neb.) 24.70 


3S.25     ' ' 


7,632.43 
Deduct  miles  of  railroad  leased  to  proprietary  railway....  9.52 


<  < 


*  < 


Total  miles  of  railroad  operated  June  30,  1907 7,622.91  " 

The  above  mileage  is  located  as  follows: 

In  Illinois     685.02  miles 

In  Wisconsin     1,969.79 

In  Michigan     519.88 

In  Iowa    1,577.60  « ' 

In  Minnesota     650.30  ' ' 

In  South    Dakota 974,32  * « 

In  North   Dakota    14.28  ' ' 

In  Nebraska     1,101.26  " 

In  Wyoming     130.46  « ' 

7,622.91     " 

SUMMARY  OF  MILEAGE  OF  ALL  TRACKS,  JUNE  30,  1907 

Miles 

Main  Tracks   7,622.91 

Second    Tracks    810.72 

Third   Tracks    83.94 

Fourth    Tracks    77.91 

Sidings    *2,763.22 


Total  Miles  of  all  Tracks   11,358.70 


•Includes  35.07  miles  of  spur  tracks  on  Ashland  Division  that  are  leased  to 
manufacturing  companies. 


A3  TO  THE 

CHICAGO  &  NORTH  WESTERN  RAILWAY 

THE  STATES 

THEIR  NAMES  AND  ORIGIN 

Illinois.  Named  from  the  Illini  tribe  of  Indiana  who  lived  in  the  State  as  early 
aa  1673.  Father  Jacques  Marquette  found  them  resident  at  that  time  and 
said  they  were  the  dominating  tribe  on  both  sides  of  the  Illinois  Kiver. 
State  Capital,  Springfield.  Named  from  Spring  Creek,  a  small  stream  that 
runs  into  the  Sangamon  River.  This  capital  city  is  on  the  Sangamon  River. 
Sangamon  is  a  corruption  of  an  Indian  word  that  means  ''good  hunting 
ground. ' '  The  early  name  assigned  to  the  county  was  Sangamo.  Why  the 
change  in  name  was  made  is  not  now  known. 
Iowa.  The  name  is  that  of  a  tribe  of  Indians  who  inhabited  this  region  when 
it  was  first  visited  by  the  whites.  The  word  means  "sleepy  ones"  or 
"drowsy  ones."  These  Indians  called  themselves  Pa-hu-cha,  which  may 
be  translated  "as  of  the  dusty  nose."  By  the  Algonquin  tribes  they  were 
called  1-o-was,  by  other  Indian  tribes  they  were  called  Mas-cou-tin,  and 
by  the  French  they  were  called  Prairie  Nadoussis.  Marquette  called  them 
Pa-hou-tet.  Father  Andre,  a  Jesuit  priest,  settled  amongst  them  in  1675. 
The  Iowa  River  was  named  from  the  Algonquin  name  of  the  Indian  tribe  and 
the  State  was  named  from  the  river. 

State  Capital,  Des  Moines.     It  is  on  the  Des  Moines  River  and  was  named 
from   the   river.      The   river  name   comes   from   the   Indian   word   Mikonang, 
meaning  ' '  road. ' '     The  French  spoke  the  word  as  if  it  was  spelled  Hoin- 
gona,  and  then  shortened  it  to  Moin,  and  called  the  river  ' '  La  riviere  des 
Moines. ' ' 
Michigan.     The  name  is  an  Indian  word,  said  by  some  to  mean  "big  lake." 
E.  M.  Haines,  who  was  wise  in  Indian  matters,  said  it  meant  "place  for 
catching  fish."     Fathers  Raymbault  and  Jorges,  Jesuit  priests,  founded  a 
mission  for  the  Chippewa  Indians  in  1641  at  what  is  now  Sault  Ste.  Marie, 
but   it   was   abandoned.     Father  Marquette   restored   the   mission   in    1668 
and  there  founded  the  first  permament  settlement  in  Michigan. 
State   Capital,   Lansing.      Named    for    Abraham    Lansing   of   Lansingburg, 
N.  Y. 
Minnesota.     Minnesota    is    a    Sioux    Indian    word    meaning    "muddy    water," 
"cloudy  water"  or  "sky-tinted  water."     Hennepin  and  LaSalle  saw  the 
Minnesota  River  in  1680,  and  LaHonton,  LeSueur  and   Carver,  later.     In 
1812  the  United  States  first   exercised   authority  in  the   territory.     Fort 
Snelling  was  built  in  1819  and  named  by  the  United  States  authorities  for 
Colonel  Josiah  Snelling  who  built  the  fort.     It  was  a  protection   for  the 
early  settlers,   traders,   etc.,   on  the  upper   waters   of  the  Mississippi  and 
Minnesota  (St.  Peter)  Rivers. 


8  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 

State  Capital,  St.  Paul.     The  city  was  named  in  1841  from  the  church  of 
"St.  Paul,"  a  log  church  which  wag  built  here  for  Father  M.  Galtier,  a 
Jesuit  missionary. 
Nebraska.     Nebraska  is  an  Indian  word  meaning  "shallow  water"  or  "broad 
water."     It  is  supposed  the  word  was  applied  to  the  Platte  River  by  the 

Indians. 

State  Capital,  Lincoln.  This  was  named  for  Abraham  Lincoln. 
North  Dakota.  Dakota  was  the  common  name  for  the  confederated  Sioux 
tribes.  The  word  they  used  varied,  as  sometimes  they  called  themselves 
Ldkota  or  Nakota,  and  again  Dakota.  The  "North"  was  added  to  the 
word  when  the  territory  was  divided.  For  a  mention  of  the  confederated 
tribes,  see  South  Dakota  in  this  work. 

State  Capital,  Bismarck.  Was  named  for  Otto  Von  Bismarck,  the  great 
Chancellor  of  Germany. 
South  Dakota.  Dakota  was  the  common  name  for  the  confederated  Sioux 
tribes.  The  name  they  used  varied,  as  sometimes  they  called  themselves 
Lakota  or  Nakota,  and  again  Dakota.  The  word  was  formerly  spelled 
Dah-ko-ta.  The  "South"  was  added  when  the  territory  was  divided.  The 
Dakotas  were  cut  off  from  Minnesota  in  1858  and  had  no  real  government 
until  the  territory  was  established  by  act  of  congress  in  the  year  1861. 
State  Capital,  Pierre.  This  was  named  from  Fort  Pierre,  which  was  on 
the  opposite  bank  of  the  Missouri  River  and  was  named  in  June  1832,  for 
Pierre  Choteau,  Jr.,  of  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  who  visited  the  trading  post 
there  at  that  time.  The  "Fort"  belonged  to  the  American  Fur  Trading 
Company.    For  a  brief  history  of  this  Fort,  see  "Fort  Pierre"  in  this  work. 

The  Dakota  confederation  was  made  up  of  various  Sioux  tribes  that  are 
known  as  the  confederated  tribes.  These  tribes  occupied  or  roamed  over 
the  country  west  of  the  Mississippi  River.  There  were  seven  principal 
tribes  in  this  so-called  confederation,  viz.: 

First:    The  Mndewakantons,  or  People  of  Spirit  Lake. 

Second:     The  Wakpekutes,  or  Leaf  Shooters. 

Third:     The  Wahpetons,  or  People  of  the  Leaves. 

Fourth :     The  Sissetons,  or  People  of  the  Swamp. 

These  four  bands  or  tribes  are  called  Santees  or  Isantees,  or  "people  who 
use  knives,"  or  who  lived  on  Knife  Lake. 

Fifth:     The  Yankton,  or  People  of  the  East  End. 

Sixth :     The  Yanktonaise,  or  People  near  the  End. 

Seventh:     The  Tetons,  or  People  of  the  Prairies. 

These  Tetons  were  divided  into  bands  or  sub-tribes  as  follows: 

First:     The  Vncapapas,  or  People  who  camp  by  themselves. 

Second:     The  Sihasapas,  or  Blackfeet. 

Third:      The  Itazipehos,  or  People  without  bows  and   consequently  called 

by  the  French  Sans  Arc. 

Fourth:     The  Minneconjous,  or  People  who  Plant  by  the  Water. 

Fifth :     The  Oglalas. 

Sixth:  The  Sichanques  or  Burnt  Thighs,  or,  as  the  French  called  them 
"the  Brules"  or  "Brule  Sioux." 

Seventh:     The  Oohononpaas  or  Two  Kettles.     They  were  so  named  be- 
cause two  kettles  of  meat  once  saved  the  band  from  starvation. 
The  name  of  the  State  came  from  the  general  name  of  this  confederation. 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line  U 

Wisconsin.  The  name  comes  from  a  Sauk  Indian  word  having  reference  to 
holes  in  the  banks  of  a  stream  in  which  birds  nest. 

State  Capital,  Madison.  Named  for  James  Madison,  president  of  the 
United  States.  It  was  made  the  state  capital  in  1838  and  the  first  meeting 
of  the  legislature  was  held  there  in  November  of  that  year. 

Elijah  M.  Haines  in  his  North  American  Indians,  says  substantially  as 
follows  of  the  word  Wisconsin:  "The  name  was  first  given  to  the  stream 
or  river.  The  word  was  given  by  Marquette  as  Mesh-bousing  and  Mish- 
kou-sing.  The  letter  '  m '  afterwards  was  changed  to  '  w '  and  the  letter 
'u'  changed  to  'n,'  making  it  "TVish-lcin-sing.  The  word  given  by  Mar- 
quette is  supposed  to  mean  'strong  current,'  a  feature  that  especially 
marks  this  stream  in  high  water."  The  name  of  the  stream  was  ultimately 
given  to  the  territory  and  later  to  the  State.  The  spelling  of  the  word  as 
Ouisconsin,  was  merely  a  refining  of  a  misunderstood  French  euphonism, 
and  has  no  basis  in  correct  (French)  orthography.  The  first  territorial 
government  was  established  at  Mineral  Point  in  1836.  The  first  legislature 
met  at  Belmont  in  Iowa  County,  in  October,  1836.  The  State  was  admitted 
into  the  Union  on  May  29,  1848. 

Wyoming.  This  word  is  a  corruption  of  the  Delaware  Indian  word  maughwau- 
wa-ma  that  means  ' '  large  plains "  or  "  extensive  meadows. ' '  The  word 
has  had  many  spellings,  such  as  Wauwaumie,  Wiwaume,  Wiomie,  until  it 
reached  Wyoming.  The  name  was  first  used  by  whites  as  the  name  for  a 
valley  in  Pennsylvania  where  a  portion  of  the  Delaware  tribe  of  Indians 
lived.  Calwallader  Colden  in  his  history  of  the  "Five  Nations"  spelled 
it  Wyomen.  In  1778  this  valley  was  thickly  settled  and  was  ravaged  by 
the  British  Colonel  Butler  and  his  Indian  allies,  when  more  than  three  hun- 
dred of  the  inhabitants  were  massacred.  Thomas  Campbell,  the  poet,  wrote 
his  "Gertrude  of  Wyoming"  on  this  massacre,  and  that  poem  has  done 
more  than  anything  else  to  make  this  a  popular  name  for  places  in  the 
United  States.  Wyoming  was  organized  as  a  territory  by  act  of  congress  of 
July  28,  1868,  portions  being  taken  from  Dakota,  Idaho  and  Utah  respect- 
ively. The  first  permanent  settlement  within  the  limits  of  the  present 
State  was  made  in  1867. 

State  Capital,  Cheyenne.  It  was  named  for  the  Indian  tribe  who  called 
themselves  Dzitzistas.  The  word  "Cheyenne"  is  a  corruption  of  the  In- 
dian word  and  was  given  to  the  Cheyenne  Indians  by  the  Dakota  Sioux, 
who  assert  it  means  "aliens,"  or  "foreigners." 


AS  TO  THE 

CHICAGO  &  NORTH  WESTERN  RAILWAY. 

THE  COUNTIES. 
THEIR  NAMES  AND  ORIGIN. 

Adams  County,  State  of  Nebraska.     Named  for  President  John  Adams. 

County  seat,  Hastings.     Named  for  Col.   T.  D.  Hastings  in  gratitude  to 

him  for  inducing  a  railroad  company  to  build  a  line  of  railroad  through 

the  county. 
Alger  County,  State  of  Michigan.    Named  for  ex-Senator  and  Secretary  of  War 

K.  A.  Alger. 

County  seat,  Munising.    This  is  an  Indian  word  meaning  "island,"  or  "at 

the  little  island." 

Antelope  County.  State  of  Nebraska.  Named  by  Leander  Gerrard  in  com- 
memoration of  his  killing  an  antelope  while  chasing  Indians  in  this  region. 
County  seat,  Neligh.  Named  for  Hon.  John  D.  Neligh  of  West  Point,  Ne- 
braska, who  platted  the  town. 

Ashland  County,  State  of  Wisconsin.     Named  from  the  home  of  Henry  Clay, 
in  Kentucky. 
County  seat,  Ashland,  and  was  named  from  the  county. 

Audubon  County,  State  of  Iowa.     Named  for  J.  J.  Audubon,  the  ornithologist 
and  painter  of  birds  and  animals.     The  county  was  created  in  1851   and 
organized  in  1855. 
County  seat,  Audubon.     Named  from  the  county. 

Beadle  County,  State  of  South  Dakota.  Named  for  W.  H.  H.  Beadle,  an  early 
State  officer. 

County  seat,  Huron.  Named  from  the  Indian  tribe,  and  that  name  is  be- 
lieved to  have  come  from  the  French  word  hure,  meaning  "wild  boar," 
and  supposed  to  be  applied  to  this  tribe  on  account  of  their  unkempt  ap- 
pearance. Huron  is  on  the  Dakota  or  James  river.  The  Indians  called 
this  river  T-chan-san-san.  The  Huron  was  one  of  the  Iroquoian  tribes 
found  by  the  French  living  between  Lake  Huron  and  Ontario.  The  French 
included  twelve  tribes  in  their  name  of  Iroquois. 

Benton  County,   State  of  Iowa.     Named  for  Thomas  H.  Benton   of  Missouri. 
The  county  was  created  by  the  legislature  of  Wisconsin,  while  Iowa  was 
yet  a  part  of  Wisconsin  in  1837,  and  was  organized  in  1846. 
County  seat,  Vinton.     Named  for  Hon.  Plynn  Vinton,  an  Iowa  legislator. 

Black  Hawk  County,  State  of  Iowa.     Named  for  "Black  Hawk,"  the  noted 
chief  of  Sac  and  Fox  Indians.     The  county  was  created  in  1847  and  or- 
ganized in  1853. 
County  seat,  Waterloo.     Named  for  the  battlefield  in  Belgium. 


12  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 

Bine  Earth  County,  State  of  Minnesota.  Named  for  the  bluish  earth  founo. 
in  the  county,  the  blueness  is  caused  by  the  presence  of  copper  in  the  soil. 
County  seat,  Mankato.  Named  from  an  Indian  word  meaning  "blue"  or, 
perhaps  "green"  earth. 

Boone  County,  State  of  Illinois.     Named  for  Daniel  Boone  of  Kentucky. 

County  seat,  Belvidere.     Named  by  one  of  the  founders  from  Belvidere, 
near  Weimer  in  Saxe-Gotha,  Germany. 

Boone  County,  State  of  Iowa.  Named  for  Captain  Nathan  Boone  of  the 
United  States  Army,  who  fought  Indians  here  and  captured  the  Des  Moines 
Valley  from  them.  The  county  was  created  in  1846  and  organized  in  1849. 
County  seat,  Boone.  Named  from  the  county.  The  original  county  seat 
was  named  Boonesboro  by  S.  B.  McCall,  and  was  a  mile  or  so  away  from 
the  present  city.  It  was  ultimately  incorporated  with  and  is  now  a  por- 
tion of  the  city  and  municipality  of  Boone. 

Boone  County,  State  of  Nebraska.     Named  for  Daniel  Boone  of  Kentucky. 
County  seat,  Albion.     Named  from  an  ancient  name  of  England. 

Boyd  County,  State  of  Nebraska.  Named  for  James  E.  Boyd,  once  governor 
of  Nebraska. 

County  seat,   Butte.     Named  from  the  "buttes"   or   small  hills,   near  the 
townsite. 

Brown  County,  State  of  Minnesota.  Named  for  Joseph  B.  Brown,  a  member  of 
the  Governor's  Council  of  Minnesota  in  1855. 

County  seat,  New  Ulm,  which  was  named  by  German  emigrants  from  the 
city  of  Ulm  in  Germany. 

Brown  County,  State  of  Nebraska.  Named  for  two  members  of  the  legislature 
who  reported  the  bill  for  organization  of  the  county. 

County  seat,  Ainsworth.     Named   for  James  E.   Ainsworth,  a  railroad  en- 
gineer who  located  and  helped  to  build  the  railroad  through  the  county. 

Brown  County,  State  of  South  Dakota.     Named  for  Alfred  Brown,  a  legislator 

of  1879. 

County  seat,  Aberdeen.     Named  by  Alexander  Mitchell  of  Milwaukee,  "Wis- 
consin, from  the  city  in  Scotland. 
Brown  County,  State  of  Wisconsin.     Named  for  Major  General  Jacob  Brown 

of  the  United  States  Army,  1821-1828. 

County   seat,  Green  Bay.     Named  from   the  bay  on  which   it   is   situated. 

This  bay  was  by  the  early  French  called  "la  grande  baie."     For  a  fuller 

history,  see  Green  Bay  in  alphabetical  list  of  places. 

Buena  Vista  County,  State  of  Iowa.  The  county  was  named  from  the  battlefield 

of  General  Taylor  in  Mexico.     The  name  means  "beautiful   view."     The 

county  was  created  in  1851  and  organized  in  1859. 

County  seat,  Storm  Lake.     It  was  named  from  a  nearby  small  lake.     The 

lake  was  named   from   the   fact  that   small   as   it   was   and   is,   its  waters 

seemed  disturbed  by  storms  nearly  all  the  time. 
Buffalo  County,  State  of  Wisconsin.     Named  from  the  presence  of  "buffalo" 

(Bos  or  Bison  Americanus,  improperly  called  buffalo)  here  in  an  early  day. 

County  seat,  Alma.     Named  from  the  battlefield  in  the  Crimea  in  southern 

European  Russia. 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line  13 


Bureau  County,  State  of  Illinois.     Named  for  Pierre  de  Beuro,  a  French  trader, 
who  had  in  an  early  day  trading  posts  in  what  is  now  Bureau  County. 
County  seat,  Princeton.     Named  for  Daniel  Prince,  an  early  settler. 

Butler  County,  State  of  Iowa.  Named  for  W.  O.  Butler  of  Kentucky,  a  general 
in  the  Mexican  War,  and  democratic  candidate  for  vice  president  of  the 
United  States  in  1848.  The  county  was  created  in  1851  and  organized  in 
1853. 

County  seat,  Allison.     Named  for  the  veteran  and  venerable  United  States 
Senator  W.  B.  Allison  of  Iowa. 

Butler  County,  State  of  Nebraska.  Named  for  David  Butler,  first  governor 
of  the  State. 

County  seat,  David  City.     Named  for  David  Butler,  first  governor  of  the 
State. 

Butte  County,  State  of  South  Dakota.  Named  from  the  "buttes"  or  low  hills 
prominent  in  this  county. 

County  seat,  Belle  Fouche.     Named  from  the  north  branch  of  the  Cheyenne 
Eiver,  which  the  French  called  Belle  Fourche,  or  "Beautiful  Fork." 

Brookings  County,  State  of  South  Dakota.     Named  for  the  Hon.  W.  W.  Brook- 
ings, a  judge  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  Territory  of  Dakota. 
County  seat,  Brookings.     Named  from  the  county. 

Calhoun  County,  State  of  Iowa.  Named  for  John  C.  Calhoun  of  South  Caro- 
lina. This  county  was  first  named  Fox  for  the  Fox  Indians.  The  name 
was  changed  by  the  legislature  in  1853.  The  county  was  organized  in  1855. 
County  seat,  Rockwell  City.  The  county  seat  was  located  in  1876  on  land 
belonging  to  Colonel  J.  M.  Rockwell  and  the  site  was  named  for  him. 

Calumet  County,  State  of  Wisconsin.     The  word  Calumet  is  a  corruption  of  the 
French  word  Chalemet,  meaning  "little  reed,"  hence  "pipe  of  peace." 
County  seat,  Chilton.     Named  for  Chillington  Hall  in  England,  but  by  an 
error  of  the  county  clerk  in  recording  the  name,  the  middle  syllable  was 
omitted  and  that  left  the  name  as  it  now  stands. 

Carroll  County,  State  of  Iowa.     Named  for  Charles  Carroll  of  Carrolton,  Mary- 
land.    This  county  was  created  in  1851  and  organized  in  1855. 
County  seat,  Carroll,  which  was  named  from  the  county. 

Cedar  County,  State  of  Iowa.  Was  named  from  the  river,  which  was  named 
from  the  presence  of  cedar  (Arbor  vitae)  trees  along  its  banks.  It  was  or- 
ganized in  1837. 

County  seat,  Tipton,  which  was  named   for  General  John  Tipton,   United 
States  senator  from  Indiana. 

Cerro  Gordo  County,  State  of  Iowa.  Was  organized  in  1855  and  named  from 
the  Mexican  battlefield.  The  words  mean  "large  (around)  hill." 
County  seat,  Mason  City.  John  B.  Long  in  1851  settled  here  and  named 
the  settlement  and  a  grove  in  which  he  lived,  Masonic  Grove,  in  honor  of 
the  Free  Masons.  In  1853,  he  and  others  laid  out  a  town  and  named  it 
Shiboleth,  a  well  known  Masonic  and  Scriptural  word.  In  1854,  he 
bought  the  town  site  and  changed  its  name  to  Masonville,  for  his  son,  Mason 
Long.  In  1855  the  name  was  changed  to  Mason  City  to  obviate  some  con- 
fusion that  had  arisen  over  the  similarity  of  the  early  name  with  that  of 
another  postoffice  in  the  State. 


14  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 


Cherry   County,   State    of    Nebraska.     Named    for    Lieutenant    Cherry    of    the 

United  States  Army. 

County  seat,  Valentine.     Named  for  Hon.  E.  K.  Valentine,  once  member  of 

congress  from  Nebraska. 
Clark  County,  State  of  South  Dakota.    Named  for  Newton  Clark,  a  legislator 

in  1873. 

County  seat,  Clark.     Named  from  the  county. 
Clay  County,  State  of  Iowa.     Named  for  Lieutenant-Colonel  Henry  Clay,  a  son 

of  Henry  Clay  of  Kentucky,  who  was  killed  in  the  battle  of  Buena  Vista 

in  the  Mexican  War.  The  county  was  created  in  1851. 

County  seat,  Spencer.     In  1859  George  E.  Spencer  laid  out  this  town  and 

named  it  for  himself.     After  the  close  of  the  War  of  the  Rebellion,  this 

General  G.  E.  Spencer  became  United  States  senator  from  Alabama. 
Clay  County,  State  of  Nebraska.     Named  for  Henry  Clay  of  Kentucky. 

County  seat,  Clay  Center.     Named  from  being  in  the  center  of  the  county. 
Clay  County,  State  of  South  Dakota.     Named  for  Henry  Clay  of  Kentucky. 

County   seat,  Vermillion.     Named  from  the  red  color   of  the   soil,  due  to 

the  presence  of  iron. 
Clinton  County,  State  of  Iowa.     Named  for  DeWitt  Clinton,  governor  of  New 

York.     This  county  was  created  in  1837  and  organized  in  1840,  with  the 

county  seat  at  DeWitt   (formerly  called  Vandenburg),  where  it  remained 

for  thirty-five  years. 

County  seat,  Clinton.     Named  from  the  county.     The  county  seat  at  one 

time  was  Camanche  (named  for  the  Indian  tribe).     It  was  then  moved  to 

DeWitt  (Vandenburg)  and  was  finally  moved  to  Clinton  in  1876.     The  site 

of  Clinton   is  what  in  1855    was  laid  out  by  Joseph  M.  Bartlett  and  called 

New  York.     This  site  ultimately  came  into  the  possession  of  the  Iowa  Land 

company,  which  resurveyed  the  site  and  named  it  from  the  county. 
Codington  County,  State  of  South  Dakota.     Named  for  Rev.  R.  B.   Codington, 

a  legislator  of  1875. 

County  seat,  Watertown.     Named  by  John  P.  Kemp,  an  early  settler  from 

Watertown,  New  York. 
Colfax  County,  State  of  Nebraska.    Named  for  Vice  President  Schuyler  Colfax. 

County   seat,    Schuyler.      Named    for    the    given    name    of    Vice    President 

Schuyler  Colfax. 
Columbia    County,   State   of   Wisconsin.      Named   from   the   Columbia   River    in 

Oregon,  which  was  named  by  Captain  Gray  from  the  vessel  he  commanded 

when  he  entered  that  river. 

County  seat,  Portage.     Named  from  the  Indian  portage,  or  carrying  place 

between  the  Fox  and  Wisconsin  rivers. 
Converse  County,  State  of  Wyoming.     Named  for  A.  R.  Converse,  once  terri- 
torial governor  of  Wyoming. 

County    seat,    Douglas.      Named    for    United    States    Senator    Stephen    A. 

Douglas  of  Illinois. 
Cook  County,  State  of  Illinois.    Named  for  Daniel  P.  Cook,  member  of  congress 

County  seat,   Chicago.     Named  perhaps  for  the   Ojibway   Indian  word  she- 

Jcag-ong,   meaning   "the  place   of   the   wild   onion,"   and    this    from   a  root 

word  meaning  "bad  smell."     For  a  more  lengthy  description,  see  Chicago 

in  the  alphabetical  list  of  places. 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line  15 

Cottonwood  County,  State  of   Minnesota.     Translation   of  Sioux  word   for  the 
cottonwood  tree   (Populus  heterophylla)  abundant  in  the  county. 
County    seat,    Windom.     Named    for    United    States    Senator    Windom    of 
Minnesota. 

Crawford  County,  State  of  Iowa.  The  county  was  named  for  W.  H.  Crawford, 
secretary  of  the  treasury  in  1817-25  under  President  Monroe.  The  county 
was  created  in  1854  and  organized  in  1855. 

County  seat,  Denison.  This  was  named  in  1856  for  Kevd.  J.  W.  Denison,  a 
Baptist  preacher  and  agent  of  the  land  company  that  controlled  the  lands 
along  the  railroad  through  this  county. 

Cuming  County,  State  of  Nebraska.  Named  for  T.  B.  Cuming,  governor  of  the 
Territory  of  Nebraska  in  1854-1855. 

County  seat,  West  Point.  Named  because  when  located,  it  was  the  most 
westerly  point  that  was  settled  in  the  valley  of  the  Elkhorn  River. 

Custer  County,  State  of  South  Dakota.     Named  for  General  George  A.  Custer, 
who  was  killed  by  the  Indians  in  the  battle  of  the  Little  Big  Horn  near 
the  Rosebud  River  in  "Wyoming  in  1876. 
County  seat,  Custer.     Named  for  General  Custer. 

Dane  County,  State  of  Wisconsin.     Named  for  Nathan  Dane,  a  judge  and  mem- 
ber of  congress  from  Massachusetts,  and  the  author  of  the   ordinance  of 
1787  for  the  North  West  Territory. 
County  seat,  Madison.     Named  for  President  James  Madison. 

Dawes  County,  State  of  Nebraska.  Named  for  James  W.  Dawes,  former  gov- 
ernor of  the  State. 

County  seat,  Chadron.  Named  from  a  stream  that  was  named  for  a  French- 
Indian  "squaw-man"  who  lived  on  its  banks. 

DeKalb  County,  State  of  Illinois.     Named  for  Baron  DeKalb  of  the  American 
Revolution,  who  was  killed  in  the  battle  of  Camden,  South  Carolina. 
County    seat,    Sycamore.     Named    from    the    abundance    of    "Sycamore" 
(Platanus  occidentalis)  trees  that  grew  here  when  the  town  was  laid  out. 

Delta  County,  State  of  Michigan.     Named  because  of  its  triangular  shape. 

County  seat,  Escanaba.  Named  from  an  Indian  word  that  means  "flat 
rock."    See  Escanaba  in  alphabetical  list  of  places  in  this  book. 

Deuel  County,  State  of  South  Dakota.     Named  for  Jacob  Deuel,  a  territorial 

legislator  of  1862. 

County    seat,    Clear    Lake.     Named    from    Clear    Lake    and    is    merely    a 

descriptive  name. 
Dickey  County,  State  of  North  Dakota.     Named  for  George  Dickey,  a  member 

of  the  North  Dakota  legislature. 

County  seat,  Ellendale.     Named  for  the  wife  of  S.  S.  Merrill,  the  general 

manager  of  a  Wisconsin  railroad. 

Dickinson  County,  State   of  Michigan.     Named  for  Don  M.   Dickinson,  post- 
master general  under  President  Cleveland. 
County  seat,  Iron  Mountain.     Named  on  account  of  many  iron  mines  in  the 

vicinity. 

Dodge  County,  State  of  Minnesota.     Named  for  General  Henry  Dodge,  governor 
of  and  United  States  senator  from  Wisconsin. 
County   seat,    Mantorville.     The    first    settlers   in    this    county   were    three 


16  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 

brothers,  Peter,  Riley  and  Frank  Mantor.  They  settled  on  the  site  of  this 
town  in  1853.  When  the  county  seat  was  laid  out,  it  was  named  for  thesw 
brothers. 

Dodge  County,  State  of  Nebraska.     Named  for  Augustus  Caesar  Dodge,  United 
States  senator  from  Iowa. 

County  seat,  Fremont.  Named  for  General  John  C.  Fremont,  the  explorer, 
who  visited  the  location  in  an  early  day.  See  Fremont  in  alphabetical  list 
of  places  in  this  book. 

Dodge  County,  State  of  Wisconsin.     Named  for  General  Henry  Dodge,  governor 
of,  and  United  States  senator  from  Wisconsin. 

County  seat,  Juneau.  Named  from  Solomon  Juneau,  the  French  founder  of 
the  city  of  Milwaukee. 

Douglas  County,  State  of  Nebraska.     Named  for  Stephen  A.  Douglas  of  Illinois. 

County  seat,  Omaha.    Omaha  is  an  Indian  word  and  is  the  name  of  an  Indian 

tribe  and  means  ' '  up  stream, "  as  "  upstream  people. ' ' 
DuPage  County,  State  of  Illinois.     Named  for  the  French  Indian  Du   (or  De) 

Page,  a  trader  and  trapper  on  the  DuPage  River  before  1800. 

County  seat,  Wheaton.     Named  for  Warren  L.  W^eaton,  a  nearby  farmer. 
Emmet  County,  State  of  Iowa.     Named  for  Robert  Emmet  the  Irish  patriot. 

The  county  was  created  in  1851  and  organized  in  1859. 

County  seat,  Estherville.     Named  for  Mrs.  Esther  Ridley,  the  wife  of  one 

of  its  founders  and  the  first  treasurer  of  the  county. 
Fall  River  County,  State  of  South  Dakota.     Named  from  the  river  of  the  same 

name.     It  is  the  literal  translation  of  its  Indian  name. 

County   seat,   Hot   Springs.     Named   for   the   celebrated    hot   springs   that 

abound  at  this  place. 

Faribault  County,  State  of  Minnesota.     Named  for  John  Baptiste  Faribault,  a 

French  trader  amongst  the  Sioux  Indians. 

County  seat,  Blue  Earth   City.     Named  from   the  presence   of  blue   earth 

from  copper  mixed  with  the  soil. 
F»Ulk  County,  State  of  Bouth  Dakota.     Named  for  Andrew  J.  Faulk,  the  third 

governor  of  Dakot*   Territory. 

County  seat,  Faull  ton.     Named  for  Governor   Andrew  J.  Faulk  of  South 

Dakota. 
Fillmore  County,  State  of  Minnesota.    Named  for  Millard  Fillmore,  ex  President 

of  the  United  States. 

County  seat,  Preston.     Was  named  from  a  stream  that  was  named  by  John 

C.  Fremont,  "the  pathfinder,"  for  a  governor  of  South  Carolina  who  had 

befriended  Fremont. 

Fillmore  County,  State  of  Nebraska.     Named  for  Millard  Fillmore,   ex-prosi- 

dent  of  the  United  States. 

County    seat,    Geneva.     Was    named    in    1871    by    Miss    Emma    McCaully, 

daughter  of  Colonel  J.   A.  McCaully,  who  owned  the  farm   on  which   the 

county  seat  was  established,  and  named  it  from  Geneva  in  New  York,  that 

was  named  from  Geneva  in  Switzerland. 
Florence  County,  State  of  Wisconsin.     Named  by  H.  D.  Fisher  or  J.  J.  Hagerman 

for  Mrs.  Florence  Hulst,  wife  of  Dr.  N.  P.  Hulst  of  Milwaukee. 

County  seat,  Florence.     Named  from  the  county. 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line  H 


Floyd    County,    State    of    Iowa.     Named    for    William    Floyd    of    New    York, 
who  was  one  of  the  signers  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence. 
County  seat,   Charles   City.     Named  for  Kelly  St.  Charles,  a  son  of  the 
first  settler  in  the  county.     The  first  name  of  the  place  was  St.  Charles,  but 
it  was  soon  changed  to  its  present  form. 

Fond  du  Lac  County,  State  of  Wisconsin.     Named  from  it3  situation  (end  of 

lake)  on  Lake  Winnebago,  Wisconsin. 

County  seat,  Fond  du  Lac.     Named  from  the  county.    The  town  is  situated 

on  Lake  Winnebago. 
Forest  County,  State  of  Wisconsin.     Named  because  of  the  forest  with  which 

it  was  covered  when  named. 

County  seat,   Crandon.     Named   for   Frank   P.   Crandon,   an   officer   of  the 

Chicago  and  North  Western  Kailway  company. 

Fremont  County,  State  of  Wyoming.  Named  in  honor  of  General  John  C. 
Fremont,  the  great  explorer. 

County  seat,  Lander.  This  was  named  for  General  F.  W.  Lander  of  tha 
United  States  Army. 

Gogebic  County,  State  of  Michigan.     Named   from  the  Indian  word  a-go-je-bic, 
meaning  ' '  rocky, ' '  or  from  go-ge-bing,  meaning  ' '  dividing  lake. ' ' 
County  seat,  Bessemer.     Named  for  the  inventor  of  the  Bessemer  process 
for  reducing  iron  ore. 

Goodhue  County,  State  of  Minnesota.     Named  for  Thomas   M.   Goodhue,   the 
first  journalist  of  the  Territory  and  who  in  1849  founded  "The  Pioneer" 
newspaper  of  St.  Paul. 
County  seat,  Red  Wing.     Named  for  the  Indian  chief,  "Ked  Wing." 

Grant  County,  State  of   Wisconsin.     Named  for  a  trapper  and  Indian   trader 

who  lived  in  this  county  before  the  State  of  Wisconsin  was  set  aside  from 

the  Territory. 

County  seat,  Lancaster.     Named  from  Lancaster,  Pennsylvania. 
Green  County,  State  of  Iowa.     Named  for  General  Nathaniel  Greene,  the  great 

Revolutionary  soldier.     The  county  was  created  in  1851  aud  organized  in 

1854. 

County  seat,  Jefferson.     It  was  laid  out  in  1854  and  named  for  President 

Thomas  Jefferson. 
Green  Lake  County,  State  of  Wisconsin.     Named  from  the  waters  of  the  laka, 

which  have  a  very  green  cast. 

County   seat,  Dartford.     Named   by   and   for  J.   N.   Dart,  its  first   settler. 

Mr.  Dart  also  named  Montello  the  county  seat  of  Marquette  County. 

Gregory  County,  State  of  South  Dakota.  Named  for  J.  S.  Gregory,  a  legislator 
of  the  Territory. 

County  seat,  Fairfax.  Was  named  for  Lord  Fairfax  of  English-Virginia 
history.  He  was  the  son  of  Lord  Culpepper.  They  gave  their  names  to 
counties  in  Virginia. 

Grundy  County,  State  of  Iowa.  Named  for  Felix  Grundy,  United  States  sen- 
ator from  Tennessee.  The  county  was  created  in  1851  and  organized  in 
1854. 

County  seat,  Grundy  Center.  Named  from  the  county  and  from  the  central 
location  of  the  town  in  the  county. 


18  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 

Hamilton  County,  State  of  Iowa.  Named  for  W.  W.  Hamilton,  president  of 
the  Iowa  senate  in  1857.  It  had  been  first  called  Risley,  and  then  Webster. 
County  seat,  Webster  City.     Named  for  Daniel  Webster  of  Massachusetts. 

Hamilton  County,  State  of  Nebraska.  Named  for  Alexander  Hamilton,  the 
great  American  statesman. 

County  seat,  Aurora.  Named  from  the  Latin  word,  meaning  "morning," 
"dawn"  or  "east." 

Hamlin  County,  State  of  South  Dakota.  The  county  was  created  January 
8,  1873  and  organized  in  July,  1878,  and  named  for  Hannibal  Hamlin  of 
Maine. 

County  seat,  Castlewood.  In  an  early  day,  J.  S.  Keator  of  Davenport, 
Iowa,  had  the  title  to  some  fifteen  thousand  acres  of  land  in  this  vicinity. 
A  daughter  of  Mr.  Keator,  who  was  a  reader  of  Thackeray's  novels,  in 
"The  Virginians"  found  the  name  Castlewood,  as  the  Virginia  home  of 
Henry  Esmond.  She  suggested  the  county  seat  should  be  given  the  name 
of  Castlewood,  and  the  Winona  and  St.  Peter  Railroad  company,  that  laid 
out  the  town  site,  accepted  the  suggestion  and  Castlewood  became  the  name 
of  the  town  site  and  county  seat.  (See  Castlewood  in  the  alphabetical  list 
for  further  facts  as  to  this  name). 

Hand  County,  State  of  South  Dakota.     Was  named  for  George  A.  Hand,  secre- 
tary of  the  Territory  in  1880. 
County  seat,  Miller.     Named  for  its  founder,  Henry  Miller. 

Hardin  County,  State  of  Iowa.  Named  for  General  John  J.  Hardin  of  Illinois, 
who  was  killed  in  the  Mexican  War.  The  county  was  established  in  1851 
and  organized  in  1853. 

County  seat,  Eldora.  Named  from  Eldorado,  California,  and  that  was 
named  from  the  Spanish  word  meaning  "the  gilded."  The  county  was 
established  in  1853. 

Harrison  County.  State  of  Iowa.  Named  for  President  W.  H.  Harrison;  the 
county  was  created  in  1851  and  organized  in  1853. 

County  seat,  Logan.  Was  named  by  E.  B.  Talcott,  of  the  Galena  and 
Chicago  Union  railroad,  for  General  John  A.  Logan  of  Illinois.  The  place 
was  originally  called  Boyer  Falls,  from  the  falls  (rapids)  in  the  nearby 
river,  but  the  name  was  changed  on  the  completion  of  the  railroad  to  this 
point. 

Holt  County,  State  of  Nebraska.  Named  for  Joseph  Holt  of  Kentucky,  of 
President  Lincoln  's  cabinet. 

County  seat,  O'Neill.  Named  for  General  John  O'Neill,  the  Irish  patriot, 
who  was  an  early  settler  here  and  who  laid  out  the  original  town  site  and 
made  his  part  of  the  town  a  total  abstinence  place. 

Hughes  County,  State  of  South  Dakota.  Named  for  Alexander  Hughes,  a 
legislator  of  1873. 

County  seat,  Pierre.  Named  from  "Fort  Pierre  Choteau"  (commonly 
called  Fort  Pierre)  that  lay  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  Missouri  River. 
That  was  named  for  Pierre  Choteau,  Jr.,  of  St.  Louis,  of  the  American  Fur 
Co.,  that  had  a  trading  post  there.  See  Fort  Pierre  in  the  alphabetical 
list  of  places  in  this  book. 

This  county  was  explored  by  J.  N.  Nicollet  and  John  C.  Fremont,  and 
Nicollet  mapped  it  as  early  as  1839. 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line  iy 


Humboldt  County,  State  of  Iowa.     Named  for  Baron  Alexander  von  Humboldt, 
the  German  traveler.     The  county  was   created  in  1851,  but  was  not  or- 
ganized.   It  was  re-created  in  1857  and  organized  in  the  same  year. 
County  seat,  Dakota  City.    Was  named  for  the  Dakota  Indians. 

Hyde  County,  State  of  South  Dakota.     Named  for  James  Hyde,  a  member  of 
the  legislature  in  1873. 

County  seat,  Highmore.  Was  so  named  from  the  fact  that  it  stood  on  the 
highest  ground  between  the  James  and  Missouri  Eivers. 

Ida  County,  State  of  Iowa.  Named  from  Mount  Ida  in  Greece.  The  county 
was  created  in  1851,  and  the  name  was  suggested  by  Eliphalet  Price. 
County  seat,  Ida  Grove.  Named  from  the  county  and  grove  of  timber 
near  the  town  site.  This  conjunction  was  suggested  by  Mrs.  J.  H.  Moor- 
head,  the  wife  of  the  first  settler.  The  town  was  laid  out  by  S.  H.  Hobbs 
in  1871  and  officially  named  Ida  Grove  by  P.  E.  Hall  of  Cedar  Rapids,  Iowa. 

Iowa  County,  State  of  Wisconsin.     The  county  was  named  from  the  river  and 
this  was  named  from  the  Algonquin  name  of  an  Indian  tribe  that  lived  on 
the  river.     The  word  means  "sleepy"  or  "drowsy  ones." 
County  seat,   Dodgeville.     Named  for   General  Henry  Dodge,   governor   of 
Wisconsin  Territory. 

Iron  County,  State  of  Michigan.  So  named  on  account  of  the  large  quantity 
of  iron  ore  that  is  found  here. 

County  seat,  Crystal  Palls.  This  name  was  first  applied  to  the  falls  in 
Paint  River,  by  Richard  Corman,  a  timber  "cruiser"  who  saw  the  foliage 
that  overhung  the  falls  densely  covered  with  ice  crystals  after  a  very 
heavy  sleet  storm.  When  the  town  site — near  the  falls — was  established, 
it  was  named  from  these  falls. 

Iron  County,  State  of  Wisconsin.     Was  so  named   on  account  of  finding  iron 
ore  in  the  county. 
County  seat,  Hurley.     Was  named  for  M.  A.  Hurley  of  Wausau,  Wisconsin. 

Jackson  County,  State  of  Iowa.  Named  for  President  Andrew  Jackson.  The 
county  was  created  in  1837  and  organized  in  1838. 

County  seat,  Maquoketa.  It  was  named  from  the  river,  on  the  south  bank 
of  the  south  fork  on  which  it  is  located.  The  word  comes  from  the  Sac 
Indian  and  means  "bear  river."  The  original  name  given  to  the  place 
was  Springfield.  This  was  given  it  by  J.  E.  Goodenow  in  1838,  and  who 
had  emigrated  from  New  York  state. 

Jefferson  County,  State  of  Wisconsin.  Named  for  President  Thomas  Jefferson. 
County  seat,  Jefferson.    Named  from  the  county. 

Jo  Daviess  County,  State  of  Illinois.  Named  for  Colonel  Joseph  H.  Davies  of 
Kentucky,  who  was  killed  in  the  Battle  of  Tippecanoe. 
County  seat,  Galena.  It  was  named  in  1819  by  S.  C.  Muir,  an  early  settler, 
from  the  presence  of  great  beds  of  lead  or  Galena  ore  at  this  place.  The 
early  French  called  the  place  La  Feve,  the  "bean,"  from  the  profusion 
of  a  sort  of  bean  they  found  growing  there.  From  this  La  Feve,  the  river, 
on  which  the  town  is  located,  is  by  "corruption"  called  Fever  River. 

Jones  County,  State  of  Iowa.  Was  established  in  1857,  and  named  for  General 
George  W.  Jones,  delegate  to  congress  for  the  Territory  of  Iowa,  and  after 
the  admission  of  the  State  to  the  Union,  United  States  senator  from  Iowa. 


20  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 

County  seat,  Anamosa.  This  is  a  corruption  of  the  name  of  an  Indian 
woman,  whose  father  was  named  Nas-inms  and  who  was  distinguished  in 
the  Blackhawk  War.  The  word  Anamosa  refers  to  "puppies"  or  "young 
foxes  before  their  eyes  are  opened."  In  1841  when  the  town  was  first 
platted,  it  was  called  Lexington  from  the  battlefield  of  the  Revolution. 
The  county  seat  was  located  in  1847. 

Juneau  County,  State  of  Wisconsin.     Named  for  Solomon  Juneau,  the  founder 
of  the  city  of  Milwaukee. 

County  seat,  Mauston.  Named  for  General  M.  M.  Maughs,  the  former 
owner  of  the  original  village. 

Kane  County,  State  of  Illinois.     Named  for  Elias  K.  Kane,  United  States  sen- 
ator from  Illinois,  1824-1835. 

County  seat,  Geneva.  Was  named  from  the  city  in  New  York  State  and 
that  was  named  from  Geneva,  Switzerland. 

Kenosha  County,  State  of  Wisconsin.     Was  named  from  an  Indian  word  mean- 
ing ' '  pickerel, "  "  fish  "  or  "  pike. ' ' 
County  seat,  Kenosha.     Named  from  the  county. 

Keokuk  County,  State  of  Iowa.     Named  for  Ke-o-TcuJc  a  Sac  Indian  chief.     The 
word   means   "  ruuning  fox"  or   "watchful   fox."     The   county   was  first 
created  in  1837,  and  re-created  in  1843  and  organized  in  1844. 
County  seat,  Sigourney.     This  was  named  in  honor  of  Mrs.  L.  H.  Sigourney, 
the  American  poetess,  by  the  commissioners  who  selected  the  site. 

Kingsbury  County,  State  of   South   Dakota.     Named  for  G.  W.  Kingsbury,  an 
early  legislator  of  the  Territory. 

County  seat,  DeSmeto.  Was  named  to  honor  the  memory  of  Father  P.  J. 
DeSmet,  S.  J.,  the  "Apostle  of  the  Indians." 

Knox  County,  State  of  Nebraska.  Named  for  the  Revolutionary  General  Knox. 
It  was  originally  called  L'Eau  que  Court  County,  but  was  changed  by  the 
legislature  at  the  request  of  David  Quimby,  a  legislative  representative. 
County  seat,  Niobrara.  Named  from  an  Indian  word  meaning  "running 
water."  The  name  was  first  applied  to  the  river,  and  then  was  transferred 
to  the  town  site. 

Kossuth  County,  State  of  Iowa.     Was  established  in  1851,  organized  in   1855 
and  named  for  Louis  Kossuth  of  Hungary. 

County  seat,  Algona.  Named  from  a  corrupted  Indian  word  meaning  "Al- 
gonquin waters."  The  word  Algoma  was  formed  by  Schoolcraft,  and  Algona 
is  a  changed  form  of  Schoolcraft's  word.  The  original  name  of  the  settle- 
ment was  Call's  Grove,  and  was  so  named  for  the  brothers  Call,  who  came 
here  in  1854.  The  present  name  was  suggested  by  Mrs.  A.  C.  Call.  The 
town  was  laid  out  by  the  Calls  and  J.  W.  Moon  in  1856. 

La  Crosse  County,  State  of  Wisconsin.     The  word  is  from  the  French  name  for 
the  game  that  was  played  by  the  Indians  and  which  the  French  settler* 
called  "la  crosse. " 
County  seat,  La  Crosse.     Named  from  the  county. 

LaFayette  County,  State  of  Wisconsin.     Named  for  Marquis  de  LaFayette. 
County   seat,    Darlington.     Was    named    for   Joseph    Darlington,    an    early 
settler. 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 


21 


Lake  County,  State  of  Illinois.     Was  named  from  the  large  number   of  lake* 

(108)  in  the  limits  of  the  county. 

County  seat,  Waukegan.     Originally  this  place  was  called  "Little  Fort." 

The  present  name  is  the  Indian  translation  of  Little  Fort. 
Lancaster  County,  State  of  Nebraska.     Named  from  the  town  and  county   in 

Pennsylvania,  which  were  named  from  the  county  in  England. 

County  seat,  Lincoln.     Named  for  President  Abraham  Lincoln. 
Langlade    County,   State    of    Wisconsin.     Named    for    Charles    de   Langlade,    a 

Frenchman  and  said  to  be  the  first  permanent  white  settler  in  the  State  of 

Wisconsin. 

County  seat,  Antigo.     The  name  was  taken  from  the  Indian  words  neequic- 

antigo-sebi.     The  word  Antigo,  means  evergreen,  or  where  there  always  are 

evergreens. 
La  Salle  County,  State  of  Illinois.     Named  for  Bene  Robert  Cavalier,  Sieur  de 

de  la  Salle,  the  noted  French  explorer. 

County  seat,  Ottawa.     Named  for  an  Indian  tribe. 
Lawrence    County.    State    of    South    Dakota.     Named    for   John    Lawrence,    * 

member  of  the  legislature. 

County  seat,  Deadwood.     Was  named  from  Deadwood  Gulch,  and  that  was 

so  named  because  of  the  many  dead  trees  the  first  prospectors  found  in  the 

gulch. 
Lee  County,  State  of  Illinois.     Named  for  General  Richard  Henry  Lee  of  tha 

Revolution. 

County  seat,  Dixon.     Named  for  Captain  John  Dixon,  an  early  settler  and 

owner  of  Dixon's  Ferry  on  Rock  River. 
Le  Sueur  County,  State  of  Minnesota.     Named  for  Pierre  Charles  Le  Sueur,  an 

explorer  of  and  trader  on  the  upper  Mississippi  River  1683-1722. 

County  seat,  Le  Sueur  Center.    Named  from  the  county. 
Lincoln  County,  State  of  Minnesota.     Named  for  Abraham  Lincoln. 

County  seat,  Ivanhoe.      Was  named  from  Sir  Walter  Scott's  novel  of  that 

name. 
Lincoln  County,  State  of  South  Dakota.     Named  for  Abraham  Lincoln. 

County  seat,  Canton.     Named  from  Canton,  Ohio,  that  was  named  indi- 
rectly from  the  Chinese  city. 
Linn  County,  State  of  Iowa.     Named  for  Hon.  Lewis  F.  Linn,  United  States 

senator  from   Missouri.  The  county  was  created  in  1837  and  organized  in 

1839. 

County  seat,  Marion.     Was  laid  out  in  1839  and  named  for  General  Francis 

Marion  of  the  Eevolutionary  War. 
Lyman  County,  State  of  South  Dakota.     Named  for  W.  P.  Lyman,  legislator 

and  soldier. 

County  seat,  Oacoma.    This  is  a  Sioux  Indian  word  and  means  "a  place  be- 
tween," and  is  here  used  because  the  town  is  located  between  the  river 

and  a  bluff. 
Lyon  County,  State  of  Minnesota.     Named  for  General  Nathaniel  Lyon  of  the 

United  States  Army. 

County  seat,  Marshall.     Named  for  Gen.  W.  R.  Marshall,  governor  of  tha 

state,  1866-1870. 


22  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 

Macoupin  County,  State  of  Illinois..  This  county  was  named  for  the  Indian 
word  that  designated  a  tuber,  resembling  the  potato,  that  was  found  in 
abundance  along  the  banks  of  what  is  now  called  Macoupin  Eiver  or  creek. 
County  seat,  Carlinville.  This  city  was  named  for  Thomas  Carlin,  who 
was  governor  of  Illinois  from  1834  to  1842. 

Madison  County,  State  of  Nebraska.     Named  for  President  James  Madison. 
County  seat,  Madison.     Named  from  the  county. 

Mahaska  County,  State  of  Iowa.  Named  for  Mahaska,  "White  Cloud,"  a 
chief  of  the  Iowa  tribe  of  Indians.  The  county  was  created  in  1843  and 
organized  in  1844. 

County  seat,  Oskaloosa,  and  was  named  for  the  wife  of  the  Indian  Chief 
Mahaska.  This  place  was  first  named  "The  Narrows;"  it  was  then  called 
Mahaska,  but  when  chosen  for  the  county  seat,  its  name  was  changed  to 
the  present  title.  This  was  done  at  the  suggestion  of  M.  T.  Williams,  an 
early  settler  in  the  county. 

Manitowoc  County,  State  of  Wisconsin.     Man-i-to-woc-is-an  is  the  Indian  word 
for  "spirit  land,"  and  the  name  Manitowoc  cornea  from  this  word. 
County  seat,  Manitowoc.      (For  further  particulars  as   to   this   name,    see 
Manitowoc  in  the  alphabetical  list  of  place  names.) 

Marathon  County,  State  of  Wisconsin.  Named  by  Walter  D.  Mclndoe,  a  learned 
Scotchman  for  the  battlefield  in  ancient  Greece. 

County  seat,  Wausau.  The  name  is  a  corruption  of  the  Indian  word 
was-sa,  meaning  ' '  far  away. ' ' 

Marinette  County,  State  of  Wisconsin.  Named  for  Marinette  Jacobs,  the  daugh- 
ter of  an  Indian  chief.  This  name  was  made  from  Maria  and  Antoinette. 
County  seat,  Marinette.    Named  from  the  county. 

Marshall  County,  State  of  Illinois.    Named  for  Chief  Justice  John  Marshall. 
County  seat,  Lacon.     Named  from  Laconia  in  Greece. 

Marshall  County,  State  of  Iowa.   Named  for  Chief  Justice  John  Marshall. 
The  county  was  created  in  1846  and  organized  in  1848. 

County  seat,  Marshalltown.  Its  first  name  was  Marshall,  from  a  place  of 
that  name  in  Michigan,  and  was  laid  out  and  so  named  by  Nels  Hanson 
and  John  Childs  in  1853,  but  to  prevent  confusion,  the  word  "town"  waa 
afterwards  added  to  the  name. 

Martin  County,  State  of  Minnesota.  Named  for  Henry  Martin,  an  early  settler. 
County  seat,  Fairmont.  Was  named  in  1857  by  W.  H.  Budd  and  other  com- 
missioners, who  were  by  the  Government  appointed  to  select  a  site  for  the 
county  seat.  The  location  is  on  elevated  ground  and  along  a  chain  of 
lakes.  The  outlook  is  very  fine  and  that  induced  these  commissioners  to 
call  the  site  Fairmont.     (Not  Fairmount,  as  it  is  often  incorrectly  written.) 

Marquette  County,  State  of  Michigan:  Was  named  for  Father  Jacques  Mar- 
quette, the  noted  Missionary  to  the  Indians.  Father  Marquette  was  born 
at  Laon  in  France  in  1637,  where  he  was  educated.  He  came  to  North 
America  in  1666  and  went  to  Sault  St.  Marie  on  the  St.  Mary's  Eiver  in 
Michigan  in  1668,  where  he  established  a  mission.  He  went  to  La  Pointe 
on  Madaline  Island,  near  the  present  city  of  Ashland,  Wisconsin,  in  1669, 
and  then  determined  to  explore  the  Mississippi  River,  of  which  he  had 
heard  much  from  the  Indians  of  the  Lake  Superior  country.  He  spent  the 
time  between  1669  and  1673  at  the  island  of  Michilmacinac   (now  Macki- 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line  23 

nac);  at  what  is  now  known  as  old  Macinac,  and  at  St.  Ignace  on  Point 
St  Ignace  on  the  main  land  of  the  northern  peninsula  of  Michigan  near 
the  island  of  Mackinac.  He  taught  and  tried  to  Christianize  the  Indiana 
who  occupied  or  visited  the  vicinity. 

On  May  17,  1673,  he  and  Louis  Joliet  left  Mackinac  in  canoes  and  went 
up  Green  Bay  (bale  de  puants  of  the  early  French  traders  and  trappers), 
and  via  the  Fox  and  the  Wisconsin  Rivers  reached  the  Mississippi  River 
on  June  17.  They  floated  down  that  stream  to  a  point  in  what  is  now  the 
state  of  Arkansas.  They  then  retraced  their  steps  to  the  mouth  of  the  Illi- 
nois River,  which  they  ascended  to  the  Des  Plaines  River  and  thence  to 
Lake  Michigan,  and  finally  reached  the  location  of  the  present  city  of  Green 
Bay  in  September,  1673. 

In  the  fall  of  1674  Marquette  reached  Chicago,  on  his  second  trip  to 
the  south,  and  wintered  there.  Not  long  since  a  monument  was  set  up  and 
dedicated  on  the  spot  where  this  winter  sojourn  was  made.  He  started 
south  via  the  south  branch  of  the  Chicago  and  the  Des  Plaines  Rivers  on 
March  30,  1675,  and  on  April  8,  1675,  reached  Kaskaskia,  near  where  the 
Kaskaskia  River  enters  the  Mississippi  River,  a  hundred  miles  or  so 
below  St.  Louis,  Mo.  After  a  sojourn  there  he  started  back  to  Mackinac, 
but  died  (in  1675)  at  a  point  on  the  east  shore  of  Lake  Michigan.  Hi? 
remains  were  taken  to  Mackinac  and  are  believed  to  be  buried  in  or  near 
the  ruins  of  the  old  mission  church  at  St.  Ignace.  There  is  no  doubt  that 
Father  Marquette  visited  the  site  of  the  present  city  of  Marquette,  and 
hence  can  be  seen  the  propriety  of  naming  the  city  and  the  county  it  is 
in  for  him  and  to  honor  and  perpetuate  his  name. 

Marquette  is  a  very  old  settlement.  Before  Father  Marquette  first  visited 
the  location  in  1668,  the  Indians  made  it  a  place  of  meeting  and  they  had 
told  Radisson  and  Grossilliers,  who  preceded  Father  Marquette  in  visiting 
this  spot,  that  it  had  always  been  a  favorite  meeting  and  fishing  point  for 
the  Indians. 

Peter  White,  its  oldest  settler,  came  west  from  Rome,  New  York.  The 
early  French  trappers  and  Indian  traders  called  him  Pierre  Le  Blanc,  and 
by  that  name  he  was  known,  and  loved  and  trusted  by  all  the  Indians 
in  the  country  bordering  on  the  shores  of  Lake  Superior.  A  "poet"  claims 
Peter  White  lived  here  in  1664,  and  welcomed  and  feasted  Marquette  when 
he  visited  the  locality  in  1668.  This  legend  is  confirmed  (?)  by  the  follow- 
ing poem. 

"PIERRE  LE  BLANC  AND  FATHER  MARQUETTE. 

"You  know  one  man  call  Petare  Wite 
What  live  up  by  Marquette, 
Was  born  four  hundred  year  ago 
An'  I'm  glad  she  hain't  daid  yet. 

Perhaps  you  tink  dat   one  big  lie, 
But  if  you   doan '  b  'lieve  true, 
She 's  live  for  last  two  t  'ousand  year 
I'm  goin'  prove  to  you. 

Deys  got  a  Sunday  school  up  dere, 
An '  one  day  not  long  ago 
Ze  teachare  hask  em  question 
To  see  how  much  dey  no. 


24  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 

'  Who 's  was  the  one  dat  run  ahead, 
Say,  'Mak'  road  and  mak'   'em  strait'? 
Come,  hanser  me  dat  question  now, 
Doan  keep  me  long  to  wait. ' 

Jus'  one  in  hinfant  class  what  no, 

She  was  six  year  hole  and  bright. 

Now,  I  always  s  'pose   'twas  Jean  Baptiste — 

But  she  say  'Petare  Wite. ' 

An '  no  I  've  prove  ze  haige  to  you, 
I  'm  goin '  on  wid  my  story, 
It 's  more  about  dat  Petare  Wite, 
An '  more  as  to  his  glory. 

Long  time  she  was  call  Pierre  Le  Blanc, 
'Bout  two  tree  hundred  year 
Before   'twas  change  to  Petare  Wite, 
By  dose  English  peepl  '  roun '  here. 

One  day  she  walk  down  by  ze  rocks, 
'Bout  sixteen  sixty  four, 
An '  scratch  hees  haid  and  wink  hees  hye 
At  lit'  speck  far  out  from  shore. 

Ver  soon  dat  lit '  speck  was  a  canoe, 
Bimby  it  came  to  shore, 
A  man  jump  out,  strange  French  man, 
What  she  never  saw  before. 

An '  dat  man  say  '  Bon  jour,  my  f  ren  ', 
T  doan  know  you,  and  yet 
J  guess  ycur  name  is  Pierre  Le  Blanc — ■ 
Mai  name  ees  Pere  Marquette. 

'I  hear  'bout  you  from  mai  grand-pere, 
Dat  you  could  not  be  beat, 
An '  I  tought  I  'd  stop  and  get  acquaint ' 
So  two  good  mans  could  meet. ' 

An '  Petare  say,  '  Dat 's  very  good, 
1  '11  tell  you  what  I  '11  do— 
I  '11  build  a  town  on  dis  here  spot 
An '  call  it  after  you. ' 

An'  Petare  tak'  him  to  hees  house, 
An'  fill  him  to  hees  jaw 
Wid  everything  she  had  was  nice, 
Champagne  and  poisson  blanc. 

Dat  good  pries'  stay  for  two,  tree  week, 
An '  den  he  say  •'  Good-bye, ' 
While  great  big  tear  run  down  hees  check, 
Two,  tree  stan'  on  hees  hye. 

An'  den  he  jump  in  hees  canoe 
An '  shove  off  from  ze  bank, 
An '  look  up  to  ze  sky  and  say, 
'God  bless  you,  Pierre  Le  Blanc' 

An'  Petare  built  dat  city, 

An '  did  more '  as  dat,  you  bet, 

He  also  built  one  monument 

For  hees  young  frcn, '  Pere  Marquette. ' ' 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line  -5 


PETER  WHITE. 

A  mention  of  the  city  or  of  the  county  of  Marquette  without  a  mention 
of  Peter  White  would  be  like  explaining  the  light  of  day  without  men- 
tioning the  Bun.  For  many  years  all  the  weal  and  activities  of  Marquette 
and  of  the  surrounding  county  seemed  to  revolve  around  and  about  Mr. 
White. 

He  is  undoubtedly  the  best-known  citizen  in  the  Upper  Peninsula,  and 
one  of  the  most  popular  in  all  Michigan.  Mr.  White  was  born  in  Rome. 
Oneida  County,  N.  Y.,  and  went  to  Green  Bay,  Wis.,  with  his  parents  in 
1839.  He  set  out  for  the  Upper  Peninsula  of  Michigan.  After  repeated 
efforts  to  reach  his  destination,  it  taking  some  three  years  on  account  of 
many  vicissitudes,  one  of  which  was  spent  as  a  clerk  in  a  Detroit  store, 
he  joined  an  expedition  to  the  Lake  Superior  iron  mines  that  then  for  the 
first  time  were  being  talked  about.  After  experiencing  many  hardships 
he  reached  the  end  of  his  journey  and  had  the  distinction  of  being  the 
first  white  man  to  fell  a  tree  on  the  site  of  the  present  city  of  Marquette. 
It  was  while  employed  in  these  pursuits  that  Mr.  White,  who  at  that  time 
spoke  several  languages,  learned  to  talk  with  the  Chippewas  in  their  own 
tongue,  thereby  gaining  their  friendship,  which  proved  very  valuable  in 
after  years.  He  also  picked  up  the  patois  of  the  French-Canadian  habitat. 
He  was  literally  one  of  the  pioneers  of  this  part  of  Michigan.  Although 
but  a  boy  at  that  time  he  had  the  pluck  and  perseverance  of  a  man  of 
mature  years  and  was  respected  and  trusted  by  his  employers  as  well  as 
by  all  those,  Indians  included,  with  whom  he  came  in  contact.  First  as 
a  common  laborer,  then  as  a  storekeeper,  then  a  banker,  real  estate  dealer, 
legislator,  journeying  part  of  his  way  to  Lansing  on  snowshoes,  always 
with  his  eye  on  the  goal  he  had  in  sight,  he  never  swerved,  and  his  life  is 
a  model  for  the  American  youth  to  pattern  after. 

At  the  outbreak  of  the  War  of  the  Rebellion  he  organized  a  company  to 
go  to  the  front  and  was  elected  its  captain,  but  such  great  pressure  was 
brought  to  bear  upon  him  by  his  fellow  citizens  that  he  remained  at  home. 
Dating  from  about  this  time  he  became  the  leading  man  in  Marquette. 
He  has  always  been  a  generous  citizen,  never  sparing  his  time  or  money 
in  furthering  the  interests  of  his  home  town. 

The  history  of  Mr.  White  is  the  history  of  the  Upper  Peninsula.  It  is 
full  of  romance  as  well  as  of  the  stern  realities  of  life.  During  the  earlier 
days  it  was  full  of  exciting  experiences  and  adventure,  at  one  time  as  a 
mail  carrier  over  a  then  trackless  waste  with  Indians  as  guides.  At  the 
present  time  he  is  a  cultured  gentleman  and  a  successful  business  man. 

He  is  still  in  the  prime  of  his  activity,  both  mental  and  physical,  and  his 
advice  on  leading  questions  of  the  day  is  freely  asked  and  always  given 
merited  consideration. 
County  seat,  Marquette;  named  from  the  county. 

Marquette   County,   State    of   Wisconsin.      Named   for    the   Jesuit   Missionary 
and  explorer,  Father  Jacques  Marquette. 

County  seat,  Montello.  This  town  was  located  in  1849  by  James  Daniels, 
and  by  him  was  named  Seralro  from  a  place  in  Mexico  where  Mr.  Daniels 
had  fought  during  the  war  with  Mexico.  The  location  was  also,  for  some 
time  known  as  Hill  River  on  account  of  its  location  as  to  granite  hills 


26  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 


and   Fox   Kiver.     In   course    of   time   objections   were   made   to   the   nam© 

Seralro;   when  J.  N.  Dart,   an   early   settler,  suggested   the   present  name, 

and  the  suggestion  was  adopted  by  a  meeting  of  its  principal  inhabitants. 

The   name   is  a   translation   of  two    Spanish  words   for   "mountain"   and 

"waters."    Mr.  Dart  also  named  Dartford,  the  county  seat  of  Green  Lake 

County. 
McCook  County,  State  of  South  Dakota.    Named  for  General  Edwin  S.  McCook 

of  Ohio,  who  was  distinguished  for  bravery  in  the  War  of  the  Eebellion. 

County  seat,  Salem;  named  from  the  Jewish  word  meaning  "Peace." 
McHenry  County,  State  of   Illinois.     Named   for   General  William   McHenry, 

prominent  in  the  Blackhawk  War. 

County  seat,  Woodstock;  named  from  the  town  in  Vermont  and  that  was 

named  from  the  town  in  England. 
Meade   County,  State   of  South  Dakota.     Named  for   Gen.    George   C.   Meade 

of  the  War  of  the  Eebellion. 

County  seat,  Sturgis;  named  by  Col.  Samuel  Sturgis  of  the  Seventh  United 

States  Cavalry. 
Menominee  County,  State  of  Michigan.     Named  from  the  Menominee  Indian 

tribe  (the  rice  eaters).     The  word  refers  to  "wild  rice." 

County  seat,  Menominee;   named  from   the   county. 
Milwaukee  County,  State  of  Wisconsin.  This  name  came  from  an  Indian  word 

probably  Milicke,  meaning  "good  earth"  or  "good  land." 

County  seat,  Milwaukee.     The  word  has  been  spelled  in  many  ways  from 

Father   Hennipin's   MillecTce   in    1679,   Nileke    of   a    French   map    in    1864; 

Milwarick  of  John   Buisson   de    St.    Cosme  in    1699,    down  to   the  present. 

(For  further  particulars  as  to  the  word  Milwaukee,  see  under  its  place  in 

the  alphabetical  list  of  place  names.) 
Miner  County,  State  of  South  Dakota.     Named  for  Capt.   Nelson  Miner  and 

Ephraim  Miner,  members  of  the  legislature  of  1872  that  created  the  county. 
Capt.  N.  Miner  raised  a  company  of  cavalry  during  the  War  of  the  Eebellion 

and  was  a  noted  Indian  fighter  after  that  war  closed. 

County  seat,  Howard;  named  for  Howard  Farmer,  the  first  settler  there. 

Monona  County,  State  of  Iowa.     The  word  Monona  is  Indian,  but  its  meaning 
is  lost.     The  county  was  created  in  1851. 

County  seat,  Onawa;  this  was  laid  out  by  the  Monona  Land  Company 
in  1857,  and  was  named  from  an  Indian  word  meaning  "wide  awake." 

Monroe  County,  State  of  Iowa.    Was  named  for  President  James  Monroe. 

County  seat,  Albia.  Princeton  was  the  original  name  of  this  place.  It 
was  changed  by  Dr.  Anson  Flint,  an  early  settler,  and  was  named  by  him 
for  his  native  place  in  New  York  State. 

Monroe  County,  State  of  Wisconsin.    Named  for  President  James  Monroe. 

County  seat,  Sparta;  was  named  in  1851  by  Mrs.  M.  Pettitt  from  Sparta  in 
ancient  Greece. 

Natrona  County,   State   of  Wyoming.     Named   from  the  Spanish  word   natron 
meaning  "native  carbonate  of  soda,"  which  is  plentiful  in  this  county. 
County  seat,  Casper;  was  named  from  the  United  States  post  Fort  Casper, 
which  is  located  on  the  Platte  Eiver  near  this  station.    This  post  was  named 
by   Gen.   John   Pope,   November   21,   1865,   for   Lieut.    Casper   Collins,   who 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line  27 


lost  his  life  in  a  battle  with  Indians  near  this  spot.  Lieut.  Collins  had 
but  a  handful  of  men  while  the  attacking  Indians  numbered  three  thou- 
sand. Three  only  of  the  soldiers  escaped,  all  the  rest,  with  the  leader, 
being  killed. 
Nicollet  County,  State  of  Minnesota.  Named  for  Joseph  Nicholas  Nicollet,  a 
French  explorer  and  map  maker. 

County  seat,  St.  Peter;  the  town  was  named  by  the  Winona  and  St.  Peter 
Kailroad  Company  from  the  river  on  which  it  is  located.  The  river  was 
named  for  Pierre  (Peter)  Charles  Le  Sueur,  the  first  white  man  to  navi- 
gate this  stream.  He  was  on  it  as  early  as  1689.  Nicollet  explored  Dakota 
and  Minnesota  with  J.  C.  Fremont,  then  a  lieutenant  in  the  U.  S.  Army, 
in  1838  and  1839,  and  mapped  the  territory  for  U.  S.  Government. 
They  camped  for  a  considerable  time  where  the  city  of  Pierre  now  is. 
Nicolette  also  discovered,  explored  and  mapped  that  part  of  the  Mississippi 
river  that  lies  above  Lake  Itaska. 

Nuckolls  County,  State  of  Nebraska.  Named  for  S.  F.  Nuckolls,  an  early  settler. 
County  seat,  Nelson;  was  named  by  and  for  Mr.  C.  Nelson  Wheeler,  who 
owned  and  laid  out  the  town  site. 

O'Brien  County,  State  of  Iowa.  Named  for  the  Irish  patriot  of  1848,  William 
Smith  O'Brien.  The  county  was  created  in  1851  and  organized  in  1860. 
County  seat,  Primghar.  The  site  was  selected  and  laid  out  by  commissioners 
in  1872.  Many  names  were  suggested  as  the  name  for  the  town,  but  none  wag 
acceptable  to  all  of  the  commissioners.  It  then  was  suggested  that  the 
initials  of  the  names  of  the  commissioners  should  be  taken  and  arranged 
into  a  name.  The  following  were  the  names  from  which  the  initials  came: 
Messrs.  Pumphrey,  Roberts,  Inman,  McCormack,  Green,  Hays,  Albright  and 
Kenck.  These  initials  made  P-R-I-M-G-H-A-R  and  this  made  the  name  of 
the  town  site  and  county  seat. 

Oconto  County,  State  of  Wisconsin.    Oconto  is  a  Menominee  Indian  word  mean- 
ing "red  ground"  and  also  meaning  "place  of  the  pickerel." 
County  seat,  Oconto;  named  from  the  county. 

Ogle  County,   State  of  Illinois.     Named  for   Capt.  Joseph  Ogle,   a  fighter  of 
Indians  in  the  Ohio  Valley. 
County  seat,  Oregon;  was  named  from  the  then  territory  of  Oregon. 

Olmsted  County,  State  of  Minnesota.  Named  for  David  Olmsted,  mayor  of  St. 
Paul,  Minnesota,  in  1854. 

County  seat,  Rochester;  named  from  Rochester,  New  York;  this  was  named 
for  its  senior  proprietor,  Col.  Nathaniel  Rochester. 

Oneida  County,  State  of  Wisconsin.  Named  for  the  Oneida  Indians.  The  word 
means  in  the  Oneida  tongue  "people  of  the  stone,"  or,  "granite  people." 
County  seat,  Rhinelander;  named  for  F.  W.  Rhinelander,  who  was  presi- 
dent of  the  railroad  that  first  reached  the  place. 

Ontonagon  County,  State  of  Michigan.     Ontonagon  is  an  Ojibway  Indian  word 
meaning  "fishing  place." 
County  seat,  Ontonagon;  was  named  from  the  county. 

Outagamie  County,  State  of  Wisconsin.  Named  for  th<  Outagamies  or  "Fox" 
Indians  or  from  an  Indian  word  meaning  "thosr  {hat  live  on  the  other 
side." 


28  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 


County  seat,  Appleton;  which  was  named  for  Samuel  Appleton  of  Boston, 
Mass.,  one  of  the  founders  of  Lawrence  University,  located  at  Appleton, 
Wis. 

Ozaukee  County,  State  of  Wisconsin.  Was  named  for  the  Sauk  Indian  word 
meaning  "yellow  clay."  Ozaukee  is  the  proper  name  of  the  main  Sauk 
tribe. 

County  seat,  Port  Washington;  was  named  for  George  Washington.  (See 
Port  Washington  in  the  alphabetical  list.) 

Palo  Alto  County,  State  of  Iowa.  Was  named  from  the  battle  field  of  the 
Mexican  war  and  is  Spanish  for  "high  timber."  The  county  was  estab- 
lished in  1851  and  organized  in  1856. 

County  seat,  Emmetsbnrg;  was  named  for  the  Irish  patriot,  Robert 
Emmet.     It  was  laid  out  by  Martin  Coonan  in  1871. 

Pennington  County,  State  of  South  Dakota.  Named  for  John  L.  Pennington, 
an  early  governor  of  Dakota. 

County  seat,  Rapid  City,  which  was  named  on  February  25,  1876,  on  the 
suggestion  of  J.  R.  Brennan  and  W.  P.  Martin,  by  vote  of  a  meeting  of  the 
early  settlers  who  had  determined  to  locate  a  town  at  this  point.  It  was, 
from  the  location,  expected  by  these  town  builders  that  the  town  would 
have  a  very  rapid  growth,  and  hence  that  the  name  proposed  would  be 
appropriate.  The  name  was  taken  from  the  stream  that  ran  through  this 
location.    Its  name  came  from  the  many  "rapids"  that  were  in  the  stream. 

Peoria  County,  State  of  Illinois.  A  corrupted  form  of  an  Indian  tribal  name 
meaning  "carriers"  or  "packers."  County  seat,  Peoria;  was  named  from 
the  county. 

Pierce  County,  State  of  Nebraska.     Named  for  President  Franklin  Pierce. 
County  seat,  Pierce;  was  named  from  the  county. 

Platte  County,  State  of  Nebraska.     Named   from   the   Platte  River;   that  was 
named  from  the  French  plate,  meaning  ' '  dull,  "  "  shallow. ' ' 
County  seat,  Columbus;  named  for  Christopher  Columbus. 

Plymouth  County,  State  of  Iowa.  This  county  was  named  from  the  Plymouth 
colony  in  Massachusetts.  The  county  was  created  in  1851  and  organized 
in   1858. 

County  seat,  LeMars.  For  a  full  account  of  the  way  the  women  named 
the  town  see  Le  Mars  in  the  alphabetical  list  of  the  place  names  of  the 
Chicago,  St.  Paul,  Minneapolis  and  Omaha  railroad  in  this  book. 

Pocahontas  County,  State  of  Iowa.  Named  for  the  Indian  "Princess"  of  that 
name.  It  means  "stream  between  two  hills."  The  county  was  created 
in  1851  and  organized  in  1858. 

County  seat,  Pocahontas;  named  for  the  Virginia  Indian  squaw,  who  in 
history  (?)  goes  by  this  name.  The  word  is  supposed  to  mean  "stream 
between  two  hills."  Rolfe  was  the  first  name  given  this  place  and  was 
in  honor  of  the  man  who  carried  Pocahontas  to  Europe  and  is  supposed 
to  have  married  her  there. 

Polk  County,  State  of  Iowa.  Named  for  James  K.  Polk,  ex-president  of  the 
United  States.  The  county  was  established  in  1846  and  organized  the 
same  year. 

County  seat,  Des  Moines;  was  named  from  the  river.  The  river  name 
comes    from    the    Indian    word    mikonang,    meaning    "road."      The    French 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line  29 


spoke  the  word  as  if  it  were  spelled  moingona,  and  then  shortened  it  to 
moin  and  called  the  river  la  riviere  des  Moines.  Originally  the  town  was 
called  Fort  Des  Moines.  It  was  platted  in  1846  by  A.  D.  Jones  and  made 
the  capital  of  the  state  in  1857.  At  this  time  the  word  "Fort"  was 
dropped  from  its  title. 

Polk  County,  State  of  Nebraska.     Named  for  ex-President  James  K.  Polk. 

County  seat,  Osceola;  named  for  Osceola,  the  Seminole  Indian  chief.  The 
name  refers  to  a  medicinal  drink  used  by  the  Seminole  Indians. 

Portage  County,  State  of  Wisconsin.  This  comes  from  a  French  word  applied 
to  a  "carrying  place."  Kefers  to  the  passage  between  the  Fox  and  Wis- 
consin Rivers. 

County  seat,  Stevens  Point;  named  for  the  Rev.  J.  D.  Stevens,  a  mission- 
ary among  the  Indians  of  Wisconsin. 

Pottawatomie  County,  State  of  Iowa.  Named  for  an  Indian  tribe.  It  means 
"makers  of  fire."  "They  had  no  partners  in  their  council  fires."  The 
county  was  created  in  1847  and  organized  in  1848. 

County  seat,  Council  Bluffs.  For  the  history  of  Council  Bluffs  see  that 
name  in  the  alphabetical  list  of  places  in  this  book. 

Potter  County,  State  of  South  Dakota.     Named  for  Dr.  A.  J.  Potter,  a  popular 
physician  of  the  state. 
County  seat,  Gettysburg;  named  from  the  battlefield  in  Pennsylvania. 

Poweshiek  County,  State  of  Iowa.  Named  for  Poweshiek  an  Indian  chief.  The 
word  means  "roused  bear."  The  county  was  created  in  1843  and  organ- 
ized in  1848.     County  seat,  Montezuma;  named  for  the  Emperor  of  Mexico, 

or  for  his  Mexican  palace ' '  the  halls  of  Montezuma. ' '    The  site  for  the 

county  seat  was  selected  by  the  county  commissioners,  who  were  appointed 
for  that  duty  and  it  was  platted  and  named  in  1848. 

Bacine  County,  State  of  Wisconsin.  From  the  French  word  meaning  "root." 
County  seat,  Racine;  named  from  the  county.  The  river  on  which  Racine 
is  located  is  called  Root  River. 

Redwood  County,  State  of  Minnesota.     The  Indian  name  (Dakota — Sioux)  for 
"the  cornel,"  (a  species  of  cornus)  a  bush  plentiful  on  Redwood  River. 
County  seat,  Redwood  Falls;  named  from  the  county  name  added  to  the 
word  "falls." 

Bock  County,  State  of  Nebraska.    Named  on  account  of  its  rocky  soil. 

County  seat,  Bassett;  was  named  for  J.  W.  Bassett,  a  ranchman,  who  in 
1871,  took  the  first  "bunch"  of  cattle  into  the  county,  to  test  the  quality 
and  fitness  of  the  native  grasses  for  cattle  food,  and  who  thu3  became 
the  "father"  of  one  of  the  most  important  industries  of  the  state. 

Bock  County,  State  of  Wisconsin.     Named  on  account  of  its  rocky  soil. 

County  seat,  Janesville;  was  named  for  Henry  F.  Janes,  who  settled  here 
in  1836. 

Sac  County,  State  of  Iowa.     Named  for  the  Sac  Indian  tribe.    The  word  refers 
to  "yellow  earth."     The  proper  word  is  Ozaukee.     The  county  was  created 
in  1851  and  organized  in  1856. 
County  seat,  Sac  City.     The  county  seat  was  named  from  the  county. 

Sauk  County,  State  of  Wisconsin.  This  came  from  the  name  of  an  Indian 
tribe — the  Sauk  (or  Sac),  meaning  "people  at  mouth  of  river." 


30  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 

County  aeat,  Baraboo;   the  city  was  named  for  Jean  Baribault,  a  French 

settler.     Some  have  supposed  that  the  city  was  named  for  Captain  Bara- 

beary  of  Morgan's  Expedition  against  the  Indians,  but   that  supposition 

must  be  wrong  for  Baribault  lived  here  before   Morgan's  expedition  an.l 

the  location  then  was  called  "  Baribault 's." 
Saunders  County,  State  of  Nebraska.    Named  for  Gov.  Alvin  Saunders. 

County  seat,  Wahoo;  named  from  an  Indian  word  said  to  mean  a  species  of 

the  elm  tree.    The  name  was  first  used  in  Georgia  as  the  name  of  a  village 

there,  and  is  doubtless  a  Choctow  Indian  word. 
Seward  County,  State  of  Nebraska.    Named  for  W.  H.  Seward  of  New  York. 

County  seat,  Seward;  named  from  the  county. 
Shawano  County,  State  of  Wisconsin.     From  the  Ojibway  Indian  word  sh-aw-a- 

nong,  meaning  ' '  of  the  south. ' ' 

County  seat,  Shawano,  and  was  named  from  the  county. 
Sheboygan  County,  State  of  Wisconsin.     From  the  Ojibway  Indian  word  jibai- 

gan,  meaning  "a  perforated  thing"   (like  a  pipestem). 

County    seat,    Sheboygan;    named   from    the    county.      (See   Sheboygan    in 

the  alphabetical  list  of  place  names). 
Shelby  County,  State  of  Iowa.     Named  for  Gen.  Isaac  Shelby  of  the  Revolu- 

tionary  War.     The  county  was  created  in  1850  and  organized  in  1853. 

County  seat,  Harlan;  was  named  for  United  States  Senator  James  Harlan  of 

Iowa,  and  was  made  the  county  seat  in  1859. 
Sheridan  County,  State  of  Nebraska.     Named  for  Gen.  Philip  H.  Sheridan. 

County  seat,  Kushville;  so  named  because  of  the  great  growth  of  rushes 
there. 

Sioux  County,  State  of  Iowa.    Named  for  the  Dakota  or  Sioux  Indians. 
County  seat,  Orange  City.      (See  Orange  City,  page  110.) 

Sioux  County,  State  of  Nebraska.    Named  for  the  Sioux  Indians. 

County  seat,  Harrison;  it  was  named  for  ex-President  Benjamin  Harrison. 

Spink  County,  State  of  South  Dakota.     Named  for  S.  L.  Spink,  a  congressman. 

County   seat,   Redfield;    this   county  seat   was   named   to    honor  Joseph   B. 

Redfield,  then  and  now  one  of  the  oldest  officers  of  the  Chicago  and  North 

Western   Railway   Company. 
Stanley  County,  State  of  South  Dakota.     Was  named  for  Gen.  D.  S.  Stanley 

of  the  United  States  Army. 

County  seat,  Fort  Pierre;  was  named  from  an  old  Indian  trading  post  or 

fort,  that  was  owned  by  the  Choteaus  of  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  and  it  was  named 

for  Pierre  Choteau,  Jr.     (See  Fort  Pierre  in  this  book  for  a  fuller  descrip- 
tion of  that  place). 
Stanton  County,  State  of  Nebraska.     Named  for  Edwin  M.  Stanton,  the  great 

war  secretary  of  the  War  of  the  Rebellion. 

County  seat,  Stanton;  named  from  the  county. 
Stark  County,  State  of  Illinois.     Named  for  Gen.  John  Stark  of  the  American 

Revolution. 

County  seat,  Toulon;  named  from  a  postoffice  in  Tennessee,  and  that  was 

named  from  the  French  city. 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line  31 


Steel  County,  State  of  Minnesota.  Named  for  Franklin  Steel  of  Minneapolis, 
a    "town-site    boomer." 

County  seat,  Owatonna;  this  is  from  an  Indian  word  meaning  "straight 
river."     (See  Owatonna  in  alphabetical  list  in  this  book). 

Stephenson  County,  State  of  Illinois.  Named  for  Col.  Benjamin  Stephenson  of 
the  War  of  1812. 

County  seat,  Freeport:  This  name  was  first  applied  by  his  wife  to  the 
home  of  William  Baker,  an  early  settler,  because  of  his  unbounded  and 
continuous  hospitality.  The  name  clung  to  the  settlement  and  became  the 
name  of  the  city. 

Story  County,  State  of  Iowa.  Named  for  Joseph  Story,  the  great  judge  of  the 
United  States  Supreme  Court.  The  county  was  created  in  1846  and  organ- 
ized   in    1853. 

County  seat,  Nevada;  named  by  the  county  commissioners,  for  the  state 
of  Nevada.     It  was  platted  in  1853. 

Tama  County,  State  of  Iowa.  The  name  is  an  elision  of  the  Indian  word 
Tai-mah-a  and  means  "lovely,"  "beautiful,"  "pleasant."  It  is  supposed 
that  Tai-mah-a  was  the  wife  of  a  Fox  Indian  chief.  Another  version  is 
that  Tai-mah-a  was  the  name  of  the  chief  and  not  of  his  wife,  and  that 
the  word  meant  "bear  whose  voice  makes  the  rocks  tremble."  The  county 
was  created  in  1843  and  organized  in  1852. 

County  seat,  Toledo.  The  site  was  selected  as  county  seat  by  Commission- 
ers J.  M.  Ferguson  and  B.  B.  Ogden.  They  named  the  site  from  Toledo, 
Ohio,  and  that  was  named  from  the  city  in  Spain.  (See  Tama  in  alpha- 
betical list  of  places)  _ 

Thayer  County,    State    of    Nebraska.     Named    for   Gov.   John    M.    Thayer    of 
Nebraska. 
County  seat,  Hebron;  named  from  the  ancient  place  in  Palestine,  Asia. 

Trempeleau  County,  State  of  Wisconsin.  Named  from  an  island  in  the  Mis- 
sissippi River.  Its  name  came  from  the  French  La  montagne  que  trempe  a 
I  'eau,  meaning  ' '  mountain  that  stands  in  the  water. ' ' 

County  seat,  Whitehall;  this  name  was  given  it  by  B.  F.  Wing  the  original 
owner  of  the  town  site,  from  Whitehall,  111.,  and  that  was  named  from 
Whitehall,  N.  Y. 

Turner  County,  State  of  South  Dakota.     Named  for  J.  W.  Turner,  a  Dakota 
legislator. 
County  seat,  Parker;  named  for  the  wife  of  a  railroad  civil  engineer. 

Union  County,  State  of  South  Dakota.  Named  for  the  expression  of  the  senti- 
ment that  should  actuate  all  the  people  of  the  United  States. 
County  seat,  Elk  Point.  Was  so  named  on  account  of  the  presence  there 
of  elk  when  the  place  was  first  settled.  It  was  also  the  Indian  name  for 
the  point  of  timber  that  stood  at  the  bend  of  the  river  where  the  village 
now  is.  It  was  in  common  use  in  1842,  as  Audubon  in  the  account  of  his 
travels  says:  "We  camped  at  Elk  Point." 

Vilas  County,  State  of  Wisconsin.  Named  for  United  States  Senator  from 
Wisconsin  and  Postmaster  General  William  F.  Vilas. 

County  seat,  Eagle  River;  named  from  the  river,  and  the  river  was  named 
for  the  translation  of  the  Indian  word  mi-gis-i-wis-i-ii,  meaning  "eagle." 


32  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 

Wabasha   County,   State   of  Minnesota.     Named  for  the  Dakota-Sioux   Indian 
chief  Wapashaw,  which  means  "red  leaf,"  or  "red  cap"  or  "red  flag." 
County  seat,  Wabasha;  named  from  the  county. 
Walworth  County,  State  of  Wisconsin.     Named  for  Chancellor  E.  H.  Walworth 
of  New  York. 

County  seat,  Elkhorn;  was  named  from  the  Elkhorn  prairie  and  this  was 
named  by  Samuel  F.  Phoenix  in  1836  on  finding  an  elk's  horn  upon  a 
tree  there. 
Weseca  County,  State  of  Minnesota.  Named  from  the  Sioux  Indian  word 
Wash-echa,  meaning  "land  of  plenty,"  "good  hunting  ground,"  "red 
earth"  and  "red  paint." 

County  seat,  Waseca;  named  from  the   county. 
Washington  County,  State  of  Nebraska.     Named  for  Gen.  George  Washington. 
County  seat,  Blair;  which  was  named  for  John  I.  Blair  of  Blairstown,  N.  J. 
Washington  County,  State  of  Wisconsin.     Named  for  Gen.  George  Washington. 
County  seat,   West  Bend;   named  from  the  bend  in  the  Milwaukee  River 
at  this  point. 
Watonwan  County,  State  of  Minnesota.     A  Dakota  (Sioux)  Indian  word  mean- 
ing "fish  bait"  or  "where  there  are  plenty  fish." 
County  seat,  St.  James;  named  for  James  Purington,  the  first  settler. 
Waukesha  County,  State  of  Wisconsin.     From  an  Algonquin  Indian  word  Wauk- 
tsha,  meaning  ' '  fox. ' ' 

County  seat,  Waukesha;  was  named  from  the  county. 
Waupaca  County,  State  of  Wisconsin.     Was  named  from  the  Menominee  Indian 
word  meaning  ' '  pale  water. ' ' 
County  seat,  Waupaca;  named  from  the  county. 
Waushara  County,  State  of  Wisconsin.     Named  from  the  Indian  word  meaning 
"good   land."     County  seat,  Wautoma.     This  word  was  made  by  adding 
two  syllables  of  Indian  words  together,  viz:    Wau  from   Waugh  and   Toma 
from  Tomah,  and  the  two  are  supposed  to  mean  ' '  good  earth "  or   "  good 
life. ' '  Tomah  was  the  name  of  an  Indian  chief. 
Webster  County,  State  of  Iowa.     Named  for  Daniel  Webster  of  Massachusetts. 
The  county  was  established  and  organized  in  1853.    It  was  once  called  Ham- 
ilton for  Alexander  Hamilton,  the  American  statesman. 

County  seat,  Fort  Dodge.  This  was  named  for  the  old  United  States  mili- 
tary post  that  was  here  and  that  was  named  for  United  States  Senator 
Dodge  of  Wisconsin.  The  town  was  laid  out  by  Maj.  W.  Williams  in  1854 
and  was  named  by  him. 
Whiteside  County,  State  of  Illinois.  Was  named  for  Capt.  Samuel  Whiteside 
of  the  War  of  1812  and  the  Blackhawk  War. 

County  seat,  Morrison;  was  named  for  Charles  Morrison  of  New  York  City. 
Winnebago    County,   State   of   Illinois.     Named   for   the   Winnebago    tribe   of 
Indians.     It  means  "the  stinking  people"  or  "the  people  of  the  stinking 
waters." 

County  seat,  Rockford.     It  was  named  because  of  its  location  at  the  rocky 
ford  of  the  Rock  River. 
Winnebago  County,  State  of  Iowa.     Named  for  the  tribe  of  Indians.     It  means 
"the   people    of   the    stinking   waters"    or   "the    stinking   people."      The 
county  was  established  in  1851  but  was  not  organized  until  1857. 
County  seat,  Forest  City;  was  named  because  of  the  forest  that  covered  ita 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line  33 

site  when  located.  The  town  was  laid  out  by  Judge  Robert  Clark  in  1856 
and  was  made  the  county  seat  in  1858. 

Winnebago  County,  State  of  Wisconsin.     Named  for  the  Winnebago  tribe  of 
Indians.     It  means  "the  people  of  the  stinking  waters." 
County  seat,  Oshkosh;   named  for  Oshkosh,  an  Indian  chief.     His  name  waa 
said  to  mean  "nail"  or  "claw." 

Winona  County,  State  of  Minnesota.  A  Sioux  Indian  word  meaning  "first  born 
daughter."        County  seat,  Winona;  named  from  the  county. 

Wood  County,  State  of  Wisconsin.     Named  for  Joseph  Wood,  a  member  of  the 
Wisconsin  legislature. 
County  seat,  Grand  Rapids;  named  from  the  rapids  in  the  Wisconsin  River. 

Woodbury  County,  State  of  Iowa.  Named  for  Levi  Woodbury  of  New  Hamp- 
shire. The  county  was  created  under  the  name  of  Wan-kan  in  1851.  It  waa 
changed  to  Woodbury  in  1853. 

County  seat,  Sioux  City;  named  for  the  Dakota  or  Sioux  Indians.  The 
French  in  1785,  called  the  tribe  "LaSues,"  while  Capt.  George  Crogan  at 
the  same  time  called  them  "La  Suil. "  (For  origin  of  this  name  see  Sioux 
City  and  Sioux  Rapids  in  another  place  in  this  book.)  The  town  was 
platted  in  1854  and  made  the  county  seat  in  1855. 

Worth  County,  State  of  Iowa.  Named  for  Gen.  W.  J.  Worth  of  Mexican  war 
fame.  The  county  was  created  in  1851  and  organized  in  1851. 
County  seat,  Northwood;  G.  O.  Mellem,  the  first  white  man  that  settled  in 
this  county,  built  his  house  on  the  present  site  of  Northwood.  When  the 
town  was  started  on  his  claim,  the  original  town  was  called  Gulbrand.  South 
of  the  town  was  a  grove  of  timber  which  the  people  called  "The  South 
Woods."  North  of  the  town  was  another  grove  of  timber  called  by  the 
people  "The  North  Woods."  The  first  postmaster  that  was  appointed  lived 
near  the  North  Grove  and  therefore  the  post  office  was  called  Northwood. 
This  postmaster  kept  the  post  office  in  the  house  where  he  lived,  but  the 
second  postmaster  lived  in  the  original  town  of  Gulbrand,  and  the  post 
office  was  moved  to  that  place.  The  name  of  the  post  office  was  never 
changed  but  the  town  has  been  called  Northwood  since  that  time. 

Wright  County,  State  of  Iowa.  Named  for  Hon.  Joseph  A.  Wright,  governor 
of  Indiana,  and  Silas  Wright  a  statesman  of  New  York.  The  county  waa 
established  in  1851. 

County  seat,  Clarion;  its  first  name  was  Grant,  but  in  1870,  it  was,  by 
vote  of  the  board  of  county  commissioners  changed  for  the  present  name. 
The  reason  for  the  change  is  now  forgotten  and  lost.  The  original  town 
was  platted  in  1856. 

Yankton  County,  State  of  South  Dakota.     A  corruption  of   the  Sioux  Indian 
name  Ihanktonwan,  meaning  ' '  the  end  village. ' ' 
County  seat,  Yankton;  named  from  the  county. 

Yellow  Medicine  County,  State  of  Minnesota.  A  translation  of  the  Sioux  Indian 
name  for  the  river.  It  referred  to  the  menispernum  canadenses  ("moon 
seed")  plant  that  abounds  on  the  river  banks.  The  plant  was  used  as  a 
medicine  by  the  Indians. 

County  seat,  Granite  Falls;  named  because  of  the  presence  of  great  masses 
of  granite  rock  there. 

York  County,  State  of  Nebraska.  Named  for  the  family  of  an  early  settler  in 
the  county.       County  seat,  York;  named  from  the  county. 


AS  TO  THE 

CHICAGO  &  NORTH  WESTERN  RAILWAY. 

THE  TOWNS  ; 

THEIR  NAMES  AND  THE  ORIGIN  THEREOF. 

Aberdeen,  Brown  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  from  the  city  of  Aberdeen, 
Scotland,  by  Alexander  Mitchell  of  Milwaukee,  Wis. 

Abie,  Butler  County,  Nebraska,  was  platted  by  the  *Pioneer  Townsite  company 
in  1887  and  named  for  Mrs.  Abbie  Stevens,  a  pioneer  merchant  near  that 
place.  For  a  now  unknown  reason  one  of  the  "b's"  in  the  name  was 
dropped  and  the  present  spelling  was  adopted. 

Ablemans,  Sauk  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  Col.  S.  V.  R.  Ableman  who 
settled  here  in  1851.  At  an  early  day  the  place  was  called  Ableman 's  Mills 
from  a  flour  mill  there  owned  by  Col.  Ableman;  then  the  name  was  changed 
to  Eock  Springs  from  springs  running  out  from  rocks  in  the  river  bank, 
but  finally  the  present  name  was  definitely  fixed  to  the  place. 

Afton,  Rock  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  in  1857-1858  by  Robert  Harris,  the 
then  Superintendent  of  the  Beloit  and  Madison  railroad,  from  the  name 
in  Robert  Burns'  song  "Flow  gently  sweet  Afton  among  thy  green  braes." 
The  name  of  the  place  until  changed  by  Mr.  Harris  was  Middleton. 

Ainsworth,  Brown  County,  Nebraska,  was  platted  by  the  Pioneer  Town  Site 
company  in  1883,  and  named  for  J.  E.  Ainsworth,  the  Chief  Engineer  for 
twenty  years  of  the  Sioux  City  and  Pacific  and  the  Fremont,  Elkhorn  and 
Missouri  Valley  Railroads. 

Ajax,  Pennington  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  for  a  Greek  hero  in  Ho- 
mer's Illiad. 

Akron,  Peoria  County,  Illinois,  was  named  from  Akron,  Ohio,  whence  many  of 
the  nearby  settlers  had  emigrated.  The  Greek  word,  Akron,  from  which 
the  Ohio  city  was  named,  means  "summit"  or  "peak." 

Albion,  Boone  County,  Nebraska.  This  town  was  named  from  Albion,  Mich. 
That  place  was  named  from  a  place  in  Maine,  and  that  from  an  ancient 
name  for  England. 

*  NOTE— The  Pioneer  Town  Site  Co.,  the  Western  Town  Lot  Co.,  and  the 
Wisconsin  Town  Lot  Co.,  that  are  named  in  connection  with  the  platting  or 
establishing  of  the  certain  towns  that  are  mentioned  in  this  history  were  com- 
panies that  were  incorporated  in  the  interest  of  the  Chicago  and  North  Western 
Railway  company  for  the  purpose  of  securing  the  land  needed  for  town  sites, 
and  the  subdividing  and  platting  it  and  placing  the  town  lots  on  the  market  at 
reasonable  rates,  so  that  the  settlers  should  not  be  at  the  mercy  of  the  town  lot 
speculators  and  be  obliged  to  pay  extortionate  prices  as  usually  is  the  case 
where  he  is  allowed  to  control.  All  of  the  proceeds  secured  from  the  sale  of  the 
lots  belonged  to  and  reached  the  treasury  of  the  railroad  company. 


36  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 

Alcester,  Union  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  for  Col.  Alcester  of  the  Brit- 
ish Army,  who  about  the  time  this  station  was  established,  had  made 
a  very  heroic  fight  in  a  battle  in  Egypt.  It  was  platted  by  the  Western 
Town  Lot  company  in  1883. 

Alden,  McHenry  County,  Illinois,  was  named  by  Frank  Wedgewood,  an  early 
settler,  for  John  Alden  of  early  Plymouth  Colony  (Massachusetts)  history. 

Alden,  Hardin  County,  Iowa,  was  named  for  John  Alden  who  was  a  governor 
and  magistrate  for  more  than  fifty  years  of  the  Plymouth  Colony,  the  site 
of  the  earliest  Pilgrim  settlements  in  what  now  is  Massachusetts.  He  died 
in  1687,  aged  89  years.  He  was  noted  for  having  proposed  the  marriage  of 
Miles  Standish  to  a  pilgrim  lady  who  replied,  "Prithee  John,  why  do  you 
not  speak  for  yourself."  Thereupon  he  did  speak  for  himself  and  married 
the  lady.    Longfellow  made  it  the  subject  of  a  poem. 

Alder,  Ashland  County,  Wisconsin,  was  so  named  because  of  the  growth  of 
"black   (hoary)  alder"   (Alnus  incana)  that  abounds  in  this  locality. 

Alecto,  Delta  County,  Michigan.  The  name  came  from  heathen  mythology  and 
was  adopted  for  the  name  of  the  town  as  it  was  an  easy  word  to  speak  and 
to  use  in  telegraphing. 

Algona,  Kossuth  County,  Iowa,  was  named  by  the  wife  of  Judge  A.  C.  Call. 
The  original  name  was  Call's  Grove,  for  Judge  Call,  who  located  here  in 
1854.  The  town  was  platted  in  1856  by  Judge  Call  and  J.  W.  Moore.  The 
name  Algona  is  Algonquin  Indian  and  meant  "Algonquin  waters,"  or  the 
waters  (lakes,  streams,  etc.,  etc.)  that  belong  to  the  Algonquin  Indians. 
Algoma  has  the  same  meaning. 

Algonquin,  McHenry  County,  Illinois,  was  named  by  John  B.  Turner  for  the 
Indian  family  of  that  name.  ,  There  is  a  tradition  that  Samuel  Edwards, 
an  early  settler,  suggested  the  name  to  Mr.  Turner  and  claimed  that  it  wa3 
the  name  of  a  ship  in  which  he  had  sailed. 

Allenville.  Winnebago  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  by  and  for  Timothy  Allen, 
who  owned  the  land  on  which  the  railroad  depot  was  established. 

Allis,  Milwaukee  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  E.  P.  Allis,  the  founder 
of  the  corporation  that  started  the  town;  he  was  for  many  years  the  head 
of  a  large  manufacturing  concern  in  Milwaukee. 

Almond,  Portage  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  by  Elison  Doolittle  in  1850, 
from  a  town  in  New  York  State. 

Almont,  Clinton  County  Iowa,  was  named  by  Isaac  B.  Howe,  once  Chief  En- 
gineer of  the  Iowa  Midland  Kailroad,  for  Gen.  Almonte  of  Mexico.  The 
final  "e"  was  dropped  for  euphony. 

Almora,  Kane  County,  Illinois,  was  named  from  a  European  city. 

Altamont,  Deuel  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  by  the  surveyor  who  laid 
out  the  town  site,  because  of  the  hilly  country  surrounding  it.  It  waa 
platted  by  the  Western  Town  Lot  Company  in  1880. 

Alton,  Sioux  County,  Iowa.  Originally  East  Orange;  but  in  1882  the  citizens 
changed  the  name  to  Alton,  after  the  city  of  that  name  in  Illinois  and  Alton 
in  New  Hampshire,  both  these  getting  the  name  from  Alton,  a  town  in  Eng- 
land. The  "Orange"  names  were  given  for  William  the  Silent,  Count  of 
Nassau  and  Prince  of  Orange,  to  honor  the  many  Hollanders  who  are  settled 
in  this  county. 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line  37 


Amasa,  Iron  County,  Michigan.     The  name  waa  suggested  by  Pickands,  Mather 

&  Co.,  of  Cleveland,  Ohio,  in  honor  of  Amasa  Stone  of  that  city. 
Amber,  Jones  County,  Iowa.     The  original  name  was  "Blue  Cut,"  but  this  was 
changed  to  Amber  in  1878  by  J.  C.  Bamsuy,  for  a  prominent  character  hn 
found  in  a  novel  published  in  the  New  York  Tribune  about  the  time  that 
the  town  was  named. 
Ames,  Story  County,  Iowa,  was  named  for  Oakes  Ames  of  Massachusetts,  by 
John  I.  Blair,  on  account  of  his  aid  in  the   building  of   railroads  in  the 
West;  the  town  was  laid  out  in  1865. 
Amiret,  Lyon  County,  Minnesota,  was  named  for  the  wife  of  M.  L.  Sykes,  who 
for  more  than  a  generation  was  Vice  President  of  the  Chicago  and  North 
Western  Bailway  company.     The  town  site  was   taken  under  contract  by 
the  WiDona  and  St.  Peter  Bailroad  company  in  1875.     The  original  name 
of  the  town  was  Saratoga,  from  the  city  of  that  name  in  New  York  State. 
Anamosa,  Jones  County,  Iowa,  is  a  corruption  of  a  Sauk  Indian  name  that  is 
generally  applied  to  females.     It  also  refers  to  a  litter  of  puppies  or  foxes 
with  eyes  not  yet  open.     A  modern  legend  claimed  that  the  word  meant 
"White  Fawn"   and  was  the  name   of   an  Indian   girl  who  lived   at   this 
place  in  1842;   and  that  her  father  was  named  Nas-i-mus,  but  no  evidence 
has  been  obtained  to  confirm   the  story.     E.   M.   Haines  in   his  "American 
Indians"  says  the  word  means  "You  walk  with  me."     The  town  was  laid 
out  in  1841  and  was  called  Lexington.    It  was  made  the  county  seat  in  1847. 
Anderson,  Menominee   County,  Michigan,  was  named  for  John  Anderson,  who 

was  located  nearby,  and  was  a  dealer  in  firewood. 
Anderson,  Steele  County,  Minnesota,  was  named  for  William  Anderson,  a  nearby 

land  owner  and  farmer. 
Anderson's  Mills,  Grant  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  the  owner  of  a  mill 

that  was  here  when  the  station  was  established. 
Andover,  Clinton  County,  Iowa,  was  named  by  C.  C.  Wheeler,  an  officer  of  the 
Chicago  and  North  Western  Bailway  company,  from  a  town  in  Vermont; 
that  was  named  from  a  town  in  England. 
Andrews,  Sioux  County,  Nebraska.     This  town  was  named  for  J.  W.  Andrews, 

the  engineer  who  located  the  railroad  through  this  part  of  the  county. 
Aniwa,  Shawano  County,  Wisconsin.    The  name  is  a  corruption  of  the  Chippewa 

Indian  word  an-i-wi,  meaning  "those,"  a  prefix  signifying  reciprocity. 
Ankeney,  Polk  County,  Iowa,  was  named  by  and  for  J.  F.  Ankeney,  the  original 

owner  of  the  town  site. 
Anoka,  Boyd  County,  Nebraska,  was  named  from  a  place  in  Minnesota,  and  is 
an  Indian  word  meaning  "on  both  sides;"   the  town  in  Minnesota  being 
on   both  sides   of  Bum  Biver.     The   Nebraska  town   was  laid  out   by   the 
Pioneer  Town  Site  company  in  1902. 
Anston,  Brown  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  a  family  of  the  vicinity. 
Antigo,  Langlade  County,  Wisconsin.     The  name  is  taken  from  the  Indian  word 
nee-quee-antigo-sebi.      Antigo   here    meaning   ' '  evergreen, "    or    "  water   run- 
ning under  evergreens,"  or  "where  evergreens  can  always  be  found." 

Antoine,  Dickinson  County,  Michigan,  was  named  from  the  adjacent  lake,  which 
was  named  for  Antoine  Le  Beau  an  early  French-Indian  hunter  and  trapper 
who  lived  on  the  lake  shore. 


6 


A.  f*  Q  \J 


38  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 

Appleby,  Codington  County,  South  Dakota.  Named  for  the  inventor  of  the 
Appleby  twine  binder  in  recognition  of  the  value  his  machine  had  been  and 
would  be  to  the  farmers  of  Dakota.  This  town  was  platted  by  the  Wes- 
tern Town  Lot  company  in  1884. 

Appleton,  Outagamie  County,  Wisconsin.  The  station  was  named  from  the  city 
of  Appleton  which  was  named  for  Samuel  Appleton  of  Boston,  who  was  in- 
strumental in  endowing  the  Lawrence  University  that  is  located  in  Ap- 
pleton. 

Appleton  Junction,  Outagamie  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  the  city  of 
Appleton  because  of  its  nearness  to  that  place. 

Appleton  Mine,  Dickinson  County,  Michigan,  was  named  from  a  nearby  iron 
mine  and  that  was  named  for  a  prominent  Boston,  Mass.,  family. 

Arabia,  Cherry  County,  Nebraska,  was  named  by  Henry  V.  Ferguson,  of  Cedar 
Eapids,  Iowa,  from  Arabia  in  Asia,  as  he  fancied  the  soil  around  this 
place  resembled  the  "desert  sands  of  Arabia."  This  assumption  proved 
to  be  wrong  as  the  soil  was  found  to  be  very  rich  and  productive. 

Arapahoe,  Fremont  County,  Wyoming.  The  station  site  was  located  by  the 
railroad  company  and  was  named  from  a  nearby  Arapahoe  Indian  res- 
ervation. The  name  is  that  of  a  noted  Indian  tribe  and  signifies  ' '  traders. ' ' 
The  Arapahoes  are  a  remarkable  tribe  of  Indians.  They  call  themselves 
Henaunauanauau,  the  chosen  people.  They  worship  God  under  the  name 
Eejauneaauthau,  ' '  the  Stranger  on  High. ' '  Their  religion,  past  his- 
tory, and  traditions  have  been  preserved,  handed  down  orally,  by  a  secret 
order  of  elders  among  them  called  Jenajehenane,  who  are  initiated  with 
fasting  and  prayer.  Their  tradition  of  the  Creator  and  the  Deluge  is 
something  similar  to  the  Bible  story.  They  believe  in  the  resurrection  of 
the  body  at  the  last  day  and  life  everlasting  in  "Our  Home."  Many  of 
their  sacrificial  ceremonies  and  sacred  rites  resemble  those  of  the  Is- 
raelites. 

Arbor,  Lancaster  County,  Nebraska,  was  named  from  "Arbor  Lodge,"  the 
home  in  Nebraska  City  of  Sterling  Morton,  once  Secretary  of  Agriculture, 
and  a  prominent  citizen  of  Nebraska. 

Arcadia,  Carroll  County,  Iowa,  was  named  from  the  province  in  ancient  Greece, 
by  I.  N.  Voris,  who  was  interested  in  the  town  site  and  for  a  time  lived 
thereon. 

Arco,  Lincoln  County,  Minnesota.  The  proper  name  of  this  town  is  Areola, 
and  was  named  from  the  ancient  city  in  Italy.  It  was  platted  by  the 
Western  Town  Lot  company  in  1900.  The  railroad  station  is  known  as 
Arco. 

Aredale,  Butler  County,  Iowa.  This  is  merely  a  fanciful  name  made  for  its 
use  here.     It  has  no  historical  significance. 

Argyle.  Winnebago  County,  Illinois,  named  by  John  Andrew,  Sen.,  an  early 
settler  from  Argyleshire,  Scotland.  The  village  at  one  time  was  called 
"Kintyre"  from  the  place  in  Scotland. 

Arion,  Crawford  County,  Iowa.  Was  named  from  the  celebrated  poet  and 
cithra  player  of  Lesbos  of  ancient  Greek  history.  This  is  supposed  to  be 
one  of  the  myth  names  for  the  Grecian  god  Apollo. 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line  39 

Arlington,  Kingsbury  County,  South  Dakota.  Named  from  Arlington,  Vir- 
ginia. The  original  name  of  this  station  was  "Nordland"  which  it  waa 
given  in  honor  of  the  many  Scandinavians  who  had  settled  in  these  parts 
before  the  station  was  established.  The  citizens  who  came  later  induced 
the  railway  company  to  change  the  name.  The  town  was  platted 
by  the  Western  Town  Lot  company  in  1880. 

Arlington,  Washington  County,  Nebraska.  This  place  was  originally  called 
"Bell  Creek"  from  a  nearby  stream.  This  stream  was  named  for  the 
family  of  an  early  settler  on  its  banks.  Finally  L.  B.  Sheppard  and  other 
citziens  of  the  place  thought  the  name  was  not  euphonious  enough  and  in- 
duced the  change  to  the  present  form.  Its  present  name  came  from  the 
place  on  the  Potomac  Eiver  in  Virginia. 

Arlington  Heights,  Cook  County,  Illinois.  This  station  had  been  called  Brad- 
ley, Elk  Grove  and  Dunton  at  various  periods  of  its  existence.  In  1872 
the  citizens  of  the  village  induced  the  railway  company  to  change  the  name 
of  the  station,  and  then  the  name  of  the  village  was  made  to  conform  to 
that  of  the  station. 

Armstrong,  Iron  County,  Michigan,  was  named  for  a  prominent  explorer  and 
woodsman  of  this  county,  and  who  was  a  contractor  in  building  the  rail- 
road that  runs  through  the  place. 

Arpin,  Wood  County,  Wisconsin,  is  an  elisiou  of  the  proper  name  Arpino,  a 
place  in  Italy.    The  place  was  named  for  John  Arpin,  a  lumberman. 

Arthur,  Ida  County,  Iowa.  Named  by  the  citizens  for  Gen.  Arthur,  ex-president 
of  the  United  States.  It  was  platted  by  the  Western  Town  Lot  company 
in  1885. 

Ashland,  Ashland  County,  Wisconsin.  The  Indian  name  for  the  place  was 
Zham-a-wa-mik,  "the  long  stretched  beaver."  It  was  platted  by  the  Mil- 
waukee, Lake  Shore  and  Western  Kailroad  in  1S85,  and  named  by  Martin 
Beavor,  one  of  the  original  owners,  from  the  home  of  Henry  Clay  in  Ken- 
tucky. Before  this  name  was  adopted  it  was  called  Whittlesey,  for  Adolph 
Whittlesey,  its  first  postmaster,  and  then  Bay  City  and  St.  Mark.  This  last 
name  came  from  the  campanile  of  St.  Mark  in  Venice. 

Ashton,  Lee  County,  Illinois.  The  name  of  this  station  originally  was  Ogle,  but 
owing  to  confusion  arising  from  its  being  taken  for  Ogle  County,  the  citi- 
zens of  the  village  caused  the  name  to  be  changed  to  Ashton. 

Astoria,  Deuel  County,  South  Dakota,  was  platted  by  the  Western  Town  Lot 
company  in  1900.  Was  named  from  the  place  in  Oregon,  and  that  was 
named  by  and  for  John  Jacob  Astor  of  New  York  City,  who  established  a 
trading  post  there  in  an  early  day. 

Athol,  Spink  County,  South  Dakota,  was  platted  by  the  Western  Town  Lot 
company  in  1881,  and  was  named  from  Athol  in  Massachusetts;  that  was 
named  for  James  Murray,  Second  Duke  of  Athol  of  Scotland. 

Atkinson.  Iron  County,  Michigan.  This  place  was  named  for  H.  W.  Atkinson, 
who  owned  a  mill  at  this  point  before  the  railroad  station  was  estab- 
lished. It  was  at  one  time  called  Stackville  for  John  Stack  of  Escanaba, 
Mich. 

Atkinson,  Holt  County,  Nebraska.  This  town  was  platted  in  1879.  It  was  named 
for  Col.  John  Atkinson  of  Detroit,  Mich.,  who  had  large  landed  interests 
hereabouts. 


40  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 

Atwood,  Keokuk  County,  Iowa.  Named  for  Daniel  Atwood,  an  officer  of  the 
first  railroad  that  reached  this  location. 

Auburn,  Sac  County,  Iowa,  was  named  from  Auburn,  Cayuga  County  New 
York.     It  was  platted  by  the  Western  Town  Lot  company  in  1888. 

Audubon,  Audubon  County,  Iowa.  Was  named  for  J.  J.  Audubon,  the  orni- 
thologist and  traveler. 

Aurora,  Brookings  County,  South  Dakota.  Was  platted  by  the  Western  Town 
Lot  company  in  1880,  and  was  named  by  Mrs.  W.  E.  Stowe  of  Brookings, 
S.  D.,  from  Aurora,  111.,  her  old  home,  which  was  named  from  Aurora, 
N.  Y.,  which  was  named  from  the  Latin  word  meaning  "morning," 
"dawn,"  "east." 

Aurora.  Kane  County,  Illinois,  was  founded  by  Joseph  G.   Stolp   in  1837,  and 

was  named  by  James  McCarty,  one  of  the  original  owners  of  the  town  site, 

from  Aurora,  Cayuga  County,  N.  Y. 
Austin,  Cook  County,  Illinois,  was  named  by  and  for  Henry  W.  Austin,  who 

was  a  large  land  owner  hereabouts  and  who  was  prominent  in  the  growth 

and  nurture  of  the  place. 
Austin  Avenue,  Cook  County,  Illinois,  was  named  from  its  location  on  a  street 

of  that  name,  which  is  the  dividing  line  between  the  city  of  Chicago  and 

the  village  of  Oak  Park. 

Avenue,  Cook  County,  Illinois.  Named  from  the  street  Oak  Park  avenue  in 
Oak  Park.  Its  present  name  was  adopted  by  the  railroad  company  because 
of  its  shortness.  La  Vallette  for  a  time  was  applied  as  the  name  of  this 
station,  and  was  so  named  from  a  place  in  New  Jersey,  which  wa9  named 
for  an  old  New  Jersey  family. 

Avondale,  Cook  County,  Illinois.  Named  by  Brian  Philpot  who  platted  the 
town  site.  He  made  the  name  by  taking  "Avon"  from  the  river  in  Eng- 
land upon  which  Shakespear's  home  was  situated  and  to  it  added  the 
word  "  dale." 

Bagley,  Menominee  County,  Michigan.  Named  by  S.  G.  Baldwin,  the  then 
superintendent  of  the  railroad,  for  ex-Gox.  J.  J.  Bagley,  of  Michigan. 

Bain  Junction,  Kenosha  County,  Wisconsin.  This  name  merely  indicates  a 
point  that  is  shown  on  the  time  table  of  the  road.  The  name  has  no  his- 
torical significance.  The  name  "Bain"  was  taken  from  the  name  of  the 
Bain  Wagon  Company  of  Kenosha. 

Baldwin,  Jackson  County,  Iowa.  The  original  name  was  "Fremont,"  named 
for  "The  Pathfinder,"  but  was  by  the  citizens  changed  to  Baldwin,  for 
Edward  Baldwin,  the  original  owner  of  the  land  on  which  the  town  was 
established. 

Balaton,  Lyon  County,  Minnesota,  named  from  a  lake  in  Hungary,  Europe. 
Platted  by  the  Winona  and  St.  Peter  Railroad  Company  in  1879. 

Ballous,  Menominee  County,  Michigan.  This  place  was  named  for  M.  H. 
Ballous,  who  had  charge  of  a  mill  for  making  barrel  stock  located  here 
when   the   station  was  founded. 

Balsam,  Iron  County,  Michigan.  This  place  was  named  from  the  Balsam  Fir 
(Abies  balsamea)  trees  that  abounded  here  when  the  railroad  was  built 
through  this  locality. 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line  41 


Bay  Siding,  Delta  County,  Michigan.  This  name  merely  indicates  a  point  that 
is  shown  on  the  time  table  of  the  road.  The  name  has  no  historical  sig- 
nificance. 

Bancroft,  Kossuth  County,  Iowa,  was  named  by  Judge  A.  C.  Call,  of  Algona, 
agent  of  the  American  Emigrant  Association,  for  George  Bancroft,  the 
historian.  This  town  was  platted  by  the  Western  Town  Lot  Company,  in 
1881. 

Bancroft,  Portage  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  George  Bancroft,  the 
American  historian. 

Bangor,  LaCrosse  County,  Wisconsin.  Named  by  the  early  settlers  at  the 
suggestion  of  John  Wheldon,  from  Bangor  in  Wales,  many  of  the  early 
settlers  here  having  come  from  Wales. 

Baraboo,  Sauk  County,  Wisconsin.  Named  for  Jean  Baribault,  an  early 
French  trapper  and  settler.  The  river  of  this  name  was  by  J.  A.  Lapham, 
a  local  historian,  asserted  to  have  been  named  for  a  Capt.  Barabeary,  who 
was  alleged  to  have  been  an  officer  in  Morgan's  expedition  against  the 
Indians,  but  there  does  not  seem  to  be  any  real  evidence  to  sustain  his 
story,  and  it  is  very  certain  the  river  was  named  after  Jean  Baribault, 
who  lived  on  this  stream  before  Morgan's  expedition  was  even  thought  of. 

Barclay,  Ontonagon  County,  Michigan,  was  named  for  John  Barclay,  an  old 
settler. 

Bark  River,  Delta  County,  Michigan.  Named  from  the  river  on  which  it  is 
situated.  That  was  named  by  the  engineers  who  located  the  railroad  along 
its  course  from  the  fact  that  when  they  first  saw  it,  it  was  full  of  float- 
ing bark.     At  one  time  the  place  was  called  "Barkville. " 

Barneveld,  Iowa  County,  Wisconsin.  Named  for  John  of  Barneveld,  one  of  the 
heroes  of  the  wars  between  the  Netherlands  and  Spain,  and  whose  lifo 
and  times  are  made  the  basis  of  a  history  by  Motley,  the  American  his- 
torian. His  proper  name  was  Oldenbarneveld,  but  it  has  passed  into 
history  in  the  shortened  form.  As  advocate,  president,  attorney  general 
and  minister  of  foreign  affairs,  for  forty  years,  it  might  be  said  he  was  the 
whole  republic  and  the  real  founder  of  the  commonwealth.  While  William 
of  Orange  was  the  founder  of  its  independence  Barneveld  made  it  perma- 
nent and  respected. 

Baxrington,  Cook  County,  Illinois.  Named  from  the  township  in  which  it  is 
located;   that  was  named  by  an  early  settler  from  Great  Barrington,   Mass. 

Bartel,  Ozaukee  County,  Wisconsin.  Was  named  for  John  Bartel,  a  nearby 
farmer  and   early  settler  here. 

Barton,  Washington  County,  Wisconsin.  Named  by  and  for  Barton  Salisbury, 
the  original  owner  of  the  town  site.  At  one  time  (1847)  the  place  was 
called  Salisbury's  Mills;  and  at  another  time  (1848)  Newark,  but  in 
1853  its  present  name  became  fixed  and  has  so  since  remained. 

Bassett,  Rock  County,  Nebraska,  was  named  for  J.  W.  Bassett,  a  ranchman, 
who  in  1871  took  into  the  country  the  first  "bunch"  of  cattle  to  test  the 
quality  and  fitness  of  the  native  grasses  for  cattle  food,  and  who  thus 
became  the  founder  of  one  of  the  most  important  industries  of  the  state. 

Bassetts,  Kenosha  County,  Wisconsin.  Named  by  and  for  R.  L.  Bassett,  tha 
original  owner  of  the  town  site.     He  died  here  in  1907. 


42  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 

Basswood,  Iron  County,  Michigan.  The  name  of  this  station  was  suggested  by 
the  "Basswood"  (Tilia  Americana)  or  "Linden"  that  grew  around  the 
place.  At  one  time  the  place  was  called  "Hemlock"  from  the  tree  of 
that   name. 

Batavia,  Kane  County,  Illinois.  Named  from  the  city  of  that  name  in  New 
York  State.  The  earlier  name  was  "Big  Wood"  and  was  given  it  by 
Christopher  Payne,  who  in  1838,  built  the  first  cabin  here.  The  name 
Batavia  came  from  the  Batavian  republic  which  was  applied  to  Holland 
by  the  French  after  its  conquest  in  1795. 

Battle  Creek,  Ida  County,  Iowa.  Named  from  an  adjacent  stream,  which 
derived  its  name  from  the  fact  that  a  battle  had  been  fought  by  Indians 
on  its  banks  near  this  station  site. 

Battle  Creek,  Madison  County,  Nebraska,  was  named  from  a  nearby  stream 
on  which  a  battle  was  fought  by  Nebraska  volunteer  militiamen  under 
Gen.  John  M.  Thayer  with  the  Pawnee  Indians.  The  town  was  laid  out 
by  the  Pioneer  Town  Site  Company  in  1884. 

Bay  View,  Milwaukee  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  because  of  its  location 
on  the  Bay  of  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin,  and  because  of  the  fine  view  up  the 
lake  that  is  had  from  this  location. 

Beach,  Lake  County,  Illinois,  was  originally  called  Benton  from  the  township, 
and  that  was  named  for  Senator  Thomas  H.  Benton  of  Missouri.  The 
present  name  was  given  on  account  of  the  location  on  the  shore  (beach) 
of  Lake  Michigan. 

Beaman,  Grundy  County,  Iowa.  Named  by  and  for  H.  H.  Beaman,  the  original 
owner  of  the  town  site.  It  was  once  called  Wa-di-loupe,  and  this  was 
supposed  to  mean  "forks  of  the  Wolf"  River,  on  which  it  is  located. 

Bear  Creek,  Outagamie  County,  Wisconsin.  Was  named  from  the  nearby  stream. 
The  stream  was  named  by  early  settlers  thereon,  who  found  many  bears 
along  it. 

Bear  Trap,  Ashland  County,  Wisconsin.  Was  named  by  an  early  settler  because 
he  had  caught  in  a  trap  a  black  bear  at  this  point  some  time  before  the 
town   was   located. 

Beaver.  Boone  County,  Iowa.  There  is  doubt  as  to  the  origin  of  this  name, 
one  story  being  to  the  effect  that  it  was  named  for  a  citizen  of  Cedar 
Eapids,  Iowa;  and  the  other,  that  it  was  named  for  an  adjacent  stream 
on  which  beavers  (Castor  Canadensis)  were  found  as  late  as  1856.  This 
last  is  probably  the  true  story  of  the  name. 

Beaver,  Delta  County,  Michigan.  Named  from  the  many  beavers  (Castor 
Canadensis)  dams  that  were  found  nearby  when  the  station  was  estab- 
lished. 

Beaver  Crossing,  Seward  County,  Nebraska.  Was  platted  by  the  Pioneer  Town 
Cite  Company  in  1887.  The  overland  trail  from  Fort  Leavenworth, 
joining  the  Platte  River  trail  near  here,  crossed  Beaver  Creek  at  the  ford 
near  this  place,  and  the  town  took  its  name  from  that  crossing  place. 

Bee,  Seward  County,  Nebraska.  The  political  township  in  which  this  town 
is  located  is  "B"  township.  This  name  was  adopted  for  the  town 
by  adding  two  "es"  to  the  "B"  so  as  to  make  a  name  that 
would  be  understood.  It  was  laid  out  by  the  Pioneer  Town  Site  Company 
in  1887. 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line  43 

Beechwood,  Iron  County,  Michigan.  The  name  for  this  place  was  suggested 
by  many  Beech   trees    (Fagus   ferrugonia)    that   are   found   in   this  locality. 

Beemer,  Cuming  County,  Nebraska.  Was  named  by  and  for  Albert  Beemer, 
at  one  time  sheriff  of  Cuming  County  and  afterwards  a  state  official  at  Lin- 
coln. He  laid  out  and  owned  the  town  site.  In  early  days  the  place  was 
called  "Bock  Creek,"  because  it  was  located  on  a  creek  of  that  name. 
The  creek  was  so  named  because  its  bottom  was  covered  with  rocks,  which 
was  very  unusual  in  streams  in  this  part  of  the  state. 

Belgium,  Ozaukee  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  because  the  early  settlers 
around   it  had   emigrated   from  Belgium,   in  Europe. 

Belle  Fourche,  Butte  County,  South  Dakota.  Named  from  the  north  fork  of 
the  Cheyenne  River,  which  was  by  the  early  French  explorers  called 
"Belle  Fourche"  (beautiful  fork).  The  town  was  platted  by  the 
Pioneer  Town  Site  Company  in  1890.  In  1884  the  original  village  was 
called  "DeMores"  from  the  French  Marquis  DeMores,  who  had  a  stock 
ranch  near  here. 

Belle  Plaine,  Benton  County,  Iowa,  named  from  the  French,  meaning  "beauti- 
ful plain,"  and  was  indicative  of  the  beautiful  and  extensive  plain  that 
surrounded  the  place  when  the  location  of  the  town  was  made. 

Belle  Plaine,  Shawano  County,  Wisconsin.  Was  named  from  the  French  mean- 
ing "beautiful  plain,"  and  was  indicative  of  its  surroundings  when  it 
was  so  named. 

Bellevue,  Brown  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  the  French  word  mean- 
ing "beautiful  view,"  and  was  believed  to  be  indicative  of  the  locality. 

Beloit,  Bock  County,  Wisconsin.  Its  names  previous  to  1837  were  "Turtle 
Creek"  and  "New  Albany."  In  1837  the  citizens  gave  it  its  present 
name.  The  name  was  coined  from  the  name  Detroit  by  a  committee  who 
was  asked  to  select  a  name  for  the  village. 

Belvidere,  Boone  County,  Illinois,  was  named  by  Samuel  P.  Doty,  the  first 
white  settler,  who  claimed  that  he  named  it  at  the  suggestion  of  Mark 
Beaubien,  an  early  French  settler  of  Chicago,  who  fancied  the  country 
around  it  resembled  Belvidere  near  Weimar  in  Saxe-Gotha,  Germany.  There 
is  a  Belvidere  in  New  Jersey,  New  York,  North  Carolina  and  Vermont  re- 
spectively and  a  Belvedere  in  Italy  and  it  alleged  that  all  of  them  were 
named  directly  or  indirectly  from  the  place  in  Germany. 

Benld.  Macoupin  County,  Illinois.  This  town  was  established  in  1903  and 
named  for  Benjamin  L.  Dorsey,  the  founder  of  the  Dorsey  family  of  this 
county.  The  name  is  made  up  of  the  sylable  "Ben"  from  Mr.  Dorsey 's 
given  name,  and  the  initials  "L"  and  "D",  which  were  also  taken  from 
Mr.  Dorsey 's  name. 

Bennington,  Douglas  County,  Nebraska,  was  platted  by  the  Pioneer  Town  Site 
Company  in  1887,  and  named  for  Bennington  in  Vermont,  which  was 
named  for  Gov.  BenniDg  Wentworth  of  New  Hampshire. 

Benton,  La  Fayette  County,  Wisconsin.  Named  for  United  States  Senator 
Thomas  H.  Benton  ("Old  bullion"),  of  Missouri. 

Beresford,  Union  County,  South  Dakota.  Named  for  Admiral  (Lord)  Charles 
Beresford  of  England.  It  was  laid  out  by  the  Western  Town  Lot  Com- 
pany in  1883. 


44  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 

Berne,  Crawford  County,  Iowa,  was  named  and  platted  by  the  Western  Town 
Lot  Company  in  1899,  and  named  from  the  city  and  canton,  in  Switzerland. 

Berryville,  Kenosha  County,  Wisconsin.  Around  this  place  are  many  large 
fruit  farms  on  which  many  strawberries,  raspberries,  gooseberries  and 
blackberries  are  grown.     The  place  was  named  from  this  fact. 

Bertram,  Linn  County,  Iowa.  Named  for  Capt.  John  Bertram  of  Massachusetts, 
who  assisted  in  building  the  first  railroad  that  ran  through  Linn  County, 
Iowa. 

Bessemer,  Gogebic  County,  Michigan,  was  named  by  Mr.  F.  W.  Ehinelander,* 
from  the  nearby  mine.  That  was  named  for  Henry  Bessemer,  the  English 
inventor  of  the  process  for  the  reduction  of  iron  that  bears  his  name.  The 
town  was  platted  by  the  Milwaukee,  Lake  Shore  and  Western  Eailroad 
Company  in  1884.  The  first  iron  ore  that  was  discovered  in  the  Gogebic 
range  was  found  at  this  place  and  in  what  is  now  known  as  the  "Colby 
Mine. ' ' 

Beverly,  Linn  County,  Iowa,  was  named  from  Beverly,  Mass.,  which  was 
derived   from   Beverly   in   Yorkshire,   England. 

Big  Muddy,  Converse  County,  Wyoming,  was  named  from  a  nearby  stream. 
TJiat  was  translated  from  the  name  given  it  by  the  early  French  traders — 
Grande  riviere  vaseuse — "Great  Muddy  Eiver. " 

Big  Suamico,  Brown  County,  Wisconsin.  Named  from  the  French  Indian  name 
given  to  the  Big  Suamico  Eiver.  The  words  meant  "big  sand,"  "yellow 
beaver, "  or  "  yellow  residence  place. ' '  The  Indian  word  was  o-sa-wa- 
mich-lcong. 

Birch,  Ashland  County,  Wisconsin,  was  so  named  because  the  vicinity  was 
covered  with  white  birch   (Betula  pupuliopolia)    trees. 

Birch  Creek,  Menominee  County,  Michigan.  Named  from  the  river  on  which 
it  is  located.  That  was  named  from  the  fact  that  the  river  was  densely 
shaded  by  black  birch  (Betula  lenta)  trees. 

Birnamwood,  Shawno  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  Birnamwood,  men- 
tioned by  Shakespeare  in  his  play  "Macbeth." 

Black  Hawk,  Meade  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  from  a  nearby  stream, 
and  that  was  named  for  the  Sac  and  Fox  Indian  chief,  Ma-Tca-tai-me-shep , 
Jcia-kialc,  or  ' '  Black  Hawk, ' '  who  died  on  the  Des  Moines  Eiver  in 
Iowa,  October  1,  1838,  about  six  years  after  his  final  defeat  in  the  cele- 
brated "Black  Hawk  war."     The  town  was  platted  in  1887. 

Black  Tail,  Lawrence  County,  South  Dakota.  The  place  was  named  because 
of  the  many  black  tailed  deer  (Arvus  Leivisii)  found  in  the  gulch  in  an 
early  clay.  The  station  was  once  named  Gayville  for  Mr.  William  (Bill) 
Gay,  a  noted  character  in  the  early  days  of  the  Black  Hills. 

Blair,  Washington  County,  Nebraska,  was  named  for  John  I.  Blair,  of  Blairs- 
town,  N.  J.,  who  was  largely  instrumental  in  building  the  first  railroad 
that  passed   through  this  place. 


*Note. — For  many  years  Mr.  Ehinelander  was  the  president  of  the  then 
Milwaukee,  Lake  Shore  and  Western  Eailroad  Company,  and  as  such 
named  many  of  the  stations  that  were  established  while  the  road  was 
under   construction. 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line  45 

Blairstown,  Benton  County,  Iowa.  Named  for  .John  I.  Blair,  of  Blairstown, 
N.  J.,  who  was  president  of  the  Blair  Town  Lot  and  Land  Company  that 
platted  the  town  site. 

Eleiners,  Gogebic  County,  Michigan,  was  named  for  Gustave  Blemers,  a  road- 
master  of  the  first  railroad  that  reached  this  place. 

Blencoe,  Monona  County,  Iowa,  was  named  from  a  place  in  Canada,  whence 
a  former  settler  near  this  place   had   emigrated. 

Elodgett,  Cook  County,  Illinois,  was  named  for  Judge  Henry  W.  Blodgett,  a 
noted  judge  of  the  United  States  courts,  and  once  the  general  counsel  of 
the  Chicago  and  Milwaukee  Railroad. 

Blue  Earth  City,  Fairbault  County,  Minnesota.  The  town  was  laid  out  by 
H.  P.  Carstans  and  J.  B.  Wakefield,  and  was  named  from  the  Blue  Earth 
River;  the  river  was  so  named  because  of  the  bluish  hue  of  the  earth  on 
its  banks  due  to  the  presence  of  copper. 

Blue  Mounds,  Dane  County,  Wisconsin.     Named  by  the  early  French  mission- 
aries from  three  nearby  high  mounds  and  on  account  of  the  bluish  appear 
ance  of  these  mounds  when  seen  from  a  distance. 

Bluff  Siding,  Buffalo  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  the  precipitous  rocky 
"bluffs"  at  this  point. 

Blunt,  Hughes  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  for  John  E.  Blunt,  who  was 
chief  engineer  of  the  Chicago  and  North  Western  Railway  when  the 
station  was  established.  Mr.  Blunt  was  also  an  officer  of  the  Galena  and 
Chicago  Union  Railroad  at  a  very  early  day. 

Bolton,  Vilas  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  Bolton  in  Massachusetts, 
which  was  named  for  Charles  Powlet,  third  duke  of  Bolton,  of  England. 

Bonesteel,  Gregory  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  for  H.  E.  Bonesteel  of 
the  forwarding  firm  of  Bonesteel  and  Turner,  who  freighted  merchandise 
through  this  part  of  the  country  before  any  railroad  had  reached  it. 

Boone,  Boone  County,  Iowa.  When  the  county  was  organized,  Boonesboro,  a 
mile  or  so  north  of  the  present  city  of  Boone  was  named  from  the  county 
and  was  made  the  county  seat.  When  the  railroad  was  built  east  and 
west  through  the  county,  a  site  on  the  railroad  was  platted  and  was 
called  Montana,  a  Latin  word  meaning  "Mountainous  regions"  because 
of  the  rolling  character  of  the  land  around  the  site.  Ultimately  Boones- 
boro became  a  part  of  the  city  and  the  name  Montana  was  dropped  and  the 
municipality  became  Boone,  which  was  named  from  the  county. 

Bordeaux,  Dawes  County,  Nebraska,  was  named  from  the  stream  on  which  it 
is  located.  That  was  named  for  Pierre  Bordeaux,  a  French  trapper  and 
trader  on  this  stream,  who  took  the  name  of  and  emigrated  from  Bor- 
deaux, in  France. 

Botna,  Shelby  County,  Iowa.  Its  early  name  was  Rochdale.  Its  present  name 
is  an  abbreviation  of  Nishnabotna,  the  Indian  name  of  the  stream  that 
flows  through  the  place.  It  meant  a  "canoe  making  river."  It  was 
platted  as  Rochdale  by  the  Western  Town  Lot  Company  in  1884,  and  was 
named  from  a  place  in  England. 

Bowen,  Washington  County,  Nebraska,  was  platted  by  the  Pioneer  Town  Site 
Company  in  1886  and  named  for  John  S.  Bowen,  an  early  settler  of  Blair, 
Neb. 


46  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 

Boyer,  Crawford  County,  Iowa,  was  laid  out  by  the  Western  Town  Lot  Com- 
pany, in  1889.  The  place  was  named  from  the  stream  that  flows  past 
the  town.  The  stream  was  named  for  the  Boyer  family  of  Berks  County, 
Pennsylvania,  one  of  that  family  having  been  a  hunter  and  trapper 
amongst  the  Indians  in  this  part  of  Iowa.  The  stream  is  mentioned  by 
Lewis  and  Clark  and  also  by  Maximilian,  Prince  of  Weid,  who  explored 
this  part  of  the  country  in  an  early  day. 

Bradgate,  Humboldt  County,  Iowa,  was  originally  named  "Willow  Glen," 
this  name  was  changed  by  the  early  settlers  to  Bradgate.  It  was  platted 
by  the  Western  Town  Lot  Company  in  1882.  The  name  Bradgate  was 
coined  for  its  use  here. 

Bradish,  Boone  County,  Nebraska,  was  laid  out  by  the  Pioneer  Town  Site  Com- 
pany in  1888,  and  it  was  named  for  George  Bradish,  an  engineer  in  charge 
of  track  laying  on  the  railroad  that  runs  through  the  place. 

Brainard,  Butler  County,  Nebraska,  was  named  by  the  Union  Pacific  Railroad 
Company  for  David  Brainard,  a  celebrated  missionary  to  the  Indians. 

Bramhall,  Hyde  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  by  W.  N.  Brayton,  the 
original  owner  of  the  town  site.     The  name  was  made  for  the  place. 

Brampton,  Delta  County,  Michigan.  This  station  was  named  from  a  city  in 
England.  Its  first  name  was  Day's  Biver,  and  was  named  for  a  nearby 
river  that  was  named  for  John  Day,  an  explorer,  trapper  and  hunter. 

Branch,  Manitowoc  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  the  nearby  river.     At 

one  time  the  village  was  called  Zalesburg  for  the  family  name  of  an  early 

settler  from  Germany. 
Blackwell  Junction,  Forest  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  the  owner,  John 

Blackwell,  of  a  nearby  sawmill,  and  from  the  fact  that  it  is  the  junction 

of  a  mill  road  from  said  sawmill  to  the  railroad. 
Bowler,  Shawano   County,  Wisconsin,   was  named   for  Col.   J.   C.  Bowler,  who 

owned  property  in  this  vicinity. 
Bonduel,  Shawano   County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  a  nearby  long  estab- 
lished postoffice.    That  was  named  for  the  first  postmaster  of  the  place. 
Box  Elder,   Pennington   County,   South   Dakota,   was   named   from   the   nearby 

stream.     That  was  so  named  because  along  its  banks  the  "Box  Elder" 

(Acer  negundo)  grows  in  great  abundance. 
Breed,   Oconto   County,  Wisconsin,   was  named   by   and  for   George   M.   Breed, 

who  was  the  first  postmaster  of  the  village. 
Breda,  Carroll  County,  Iowa,  was  named  from  Breda,  in  Holland,  Europe,  by 

P.  E.  Hall  for  Mrs.  J.  La  Due,  an  early  settler  here,  who  had  emigrated 

from  Breda. 
Erennan,  Pennington  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  for  John  R.  Brennan, 

an  early  settler  and  notable  man  in  this  part  of  South  Dakota.     He  settled 

there  before  Indian  titles   to  the  lands  were  adjusted   and   suffered  from 

Indian  depredations.     He  finally  became  United  States  Indian  agent  for 

the  same  Indians  who  had  sought  his  scalp. 
Bricelyn,   Faribault    County,    Minnesota,   was    named    by   and   for   John   Brice, 

who  owned  and  platted  the  town  site. 
Brillion,  Calumet  County,  Wisconsin,  is  the  misspelled  name  of  Brilion,  a  town 

in  Prussia,  from  which  it  was  named. 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line  47 


Bristol,  Kenosha  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  by  Alfred  Giddings  from  the 
township.  That  was  named  in  1836  for  two  brothers,  George  and  Lester 
Bristol,  early  settlers. 

Bristow,  Boyd  County,  Nebraska,  was  platted  by  the  Pioneer  Town  Site  Com- 
pany in  1902,  and  was  named  for  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  Benjamin  H. 
Bristow,  of  President  Grant's  cabinet. 

Broadland,  Beadle  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  by  the  owner  of  the 
farm  adjoining  the  station,  from  the  broad  valley  in  which  the  farm  and 
station  are  located.  It  was  laid  out  by  the  Western  Town  Lot  Company 
in  1881. 

Broadmoor,  Stark  County,  Illinois,  was  platted  in  1901  and  named  from  the 
appearance  of  the  surrounding  country,  viz.,  like  a  broad,  wide  "Moor," 
or  meadow.  It  formerly  was  called  Bradford,  from  the  place  in  Penn- 
sylvania. 

Brock,  Nomaha  County,  Nebraska,  was  named  for  Henry  Brock,  an  early 
settler  and  farmer  of  this  vicinity. 

Bronson,  Woodbury  County,  Iowa,  was  laid  out  by  the  Western  Town  Lot  Com- 
pany in  1901,  and  was  named  for  Ira  D.  Bronson,  an  emigrant  from  Fort 
Scott,  Kan. 

Brookings,  Brookings  County,  South  Dakota.  Named  by  W.  H.  Skinner,  an 
early  settler  for  the  Hon.  Wilmot  W.  Brookings,  an  early  settler  and  a 
judge  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  territory  of  Dakota.  It  was  laid  out  by 
the  Western  Town  Lot  Company  in  1880. 

Brooklyn,  Green  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  by  John  E.  Blunt,  the  engineer 
in  charge  who  located  the  railroad  through  the  place.  The  name  of  the 
station  was  from  the  township  and  that  was  named  for  the  city  in  New 
York  State, 

Brookside,  Oconto  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  its  location  alongside 
of  a  brook. 

Brule,  Florence  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  the  Brule  Kiver  that  runs 
near  the  station.  The  river  was,  on  the  suggestion  of  Lyman  C.  Draper, 
the  founder  and  for  a  long  life  time,  the  devoted  secretary  of  the  Wis 
consin  Historical  Society,  named  to  honor  the  memory  of  Etienne  (Stephen, 
in  English)  Brule,  a  French  explorer.  It  is  a  fiction  to  say  that  the  rivei 
was  named  from  a  tribe  of  Indians,  as  the  Brule  Sioux  were  never  known 
in  this  vicinity.  Their  roaming  grounds  were  and  still  are  on  the  Missouri 
Kiver.  They  were  named  "Brule"  in  derision,  from  a  large  party  of  them 
having  been  caught  in  a  fire  that  was  set  by  their  enemies  and  were  badly 
burned  about  the  legs.  It  is  also  fiction  to  say  that  the  river  or  any  river 
in  Wisconsin,  was  named  "Brule"  because  of  the  burnt  timber  on  the 
banks.  Stephen  (Etienne  in  French)  Brule  was  born  in  Champigny, 
France  in  1592  and  came  to  New  France  (Canada),  with  Champlain  in 
1608.  Champlain  destined  the  boy  for  an  explorer  and  interpreter  and 
induced  an  Algonquin  Indian  chief  to  take  the  boy  and  teach  him  the 
"Huron"  language  and  teach  him  the  Indian  ways  and  wiles.  Brule 
never  wrote  an  account  of  his  explorations  but  reported  them  verbally  to 
Champlain  and  his  other  superiors  so  that  we  have  to  take  the  word  of 
others  as  to  his  work.  It  is  clear  that  his  first  journey  with  the  Algon- 
quin Indians  "resulted  in  the  first  exploration  ever  made  west  of  the 
great  river  of  Canada  (the  St.  Lawrence),  and  in  the  discovery  of  Lake 


48  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 


Huron,  ten  years  before  the  landing  of  the  Pilgrims  on  Plymouth  Rock. " 
It  was  only  six  years  after  Henry  Hudson  first  saw  the  Hudson  River 
that  Stephen  Brule  stood  on  the  shores  of  Lake  Huron.  He  was  the  first 
white  man  to  see  this  great  lake.  In  one  of  his  earliest  journeyings  he 
visited  a  copper  mine  on  the  north  shore  of  Lake  Huron  and  took  back 
with  him  to  Champlain  an  ingot  of  copper  that  he  got  from  the  Indians  at 
the  mine.  It  is  believed  that  when  he  made  this  trip  to  Lake  Huron  he 
discovered  Lake  Superior.  Brule  was  the  first  white  man  to  ascend  the 
Ottawa  River,  to  see  Lake  Nipissing — to  descend  French  River,  and  aa  i3 
stated  above,  to  see  Lake  Huron.  He  probably  was  also  the  first  white 
man  to  see  the  Falls  of  Niagara,  as  he  was  sent  there  by  Champlain  to 
secure  Indian  allies  who  had  promised  to  help  Champlain  in  one  of  his 
Indian  wars.  It  is  certain  that  while  on  this  mission  he  saw  the  falls, 
and  traversed  what  now  is  Western  New  York  State.  This  was  in  1615, 
and  only  eight  years  after  Jamestown,  Va.,  was  settled.  He  visited  the 
head  waters  of  the  Susquehanna  River,  followed  it  to  the  salt  water,  and 
explored  the  country  around  Chesapeake  Bay.  He  was  with  the  "Huron" 
Indians  until  1618  and  by  Champlain 's  orders  went  again  to  Lake  Huron. 
On  this  trip  he  was  accompanied  by  Grenoble  (Crenoble  of  some  writers). 
He  visited  Sault  de  Ste.  Marie,  and  was  the  first  white  man  to  see  it. 
He  called  the  people  (Indians)  around  the  Sault,  Sautuers  or  "people  of 
the  falls."  They  were  the  ancestors  of  the  modern  Otchipwas  (misnamed 
Ojibways  and  now  generally  known  as  Chippewas).  These  two  Frenchmen 
went  up  Saint  Marie's  River,  skirted  the  shores  of  Lake  Superior  in  their 
canoes,  visited  Isle  Royale,  on  the  north  shore  of  the  Lake,  and  went  west 
at  least  to  the  mouth  of  the  St.  Louis  River,  near  where  the  cities  of 
Duluth  and  Superior  are  located.  In  1625,  Brule  again  was  with  the  Huron 
Indians.  He  discovered  and  visited  Lake  Ontario,  ten  years  before  Cartier 
had  ever  heard  of  it,  as  Cartier  first  heard  of  it  in  1635.  Cartier,  however, 
never  saw  the  lake,  nor  did  Champlain  ever  see  it.  Champlain  visited 
Lake  Huron  with  Brule  on  one  of  hi3  trips  there,  and  in  his  report  called 
it  "Mer  douce,"  "the  fresh  (sweet)  water  sea."  Brule  was  finally  killed  and 
eaten  by  the  Huron  Indians.  From  this  brief  narrative  it  can  be  seen 
why  Lyman  C.  Draper  wished  to  perpetuate  the  memory  of  this  explorer 
by  attaching  his  name  to  one  of  the  rivers  of  Wisconsin. 

Bruce,  Brookings  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  for  the  son  of  one  of  the 
officers  of  the  railroad,  by  L.  A.  Robinson,  of  St.  Paul.  It  was  laid  out  by 
M.  M.  Kirkman,  of  Chicago,  and  by  him  deeded  to  the  Western  Town 
Lot  Company.  The  village  was  originally  called  Lee,  but  that  name  was 
dropped  and  the  town  and  station  were  called  Bruce. 

Bruno,  Butler  County,  Nebraska.  The  name  is  a  corruption  of  Brno,  the  name 
of  a  city  in  Bohemia,  Europe.  It  was  platted  by  the  Pioneer  Town  Site 
Company  in  1887.  Enunciation  of  this  name  being  so  difficult,  the  letter 
"u"  was  added  and  the  present  form  made.  Its  first  name  was  Skull 
Creek. 

Bryant,  Clinton  County,  Iowa,  was  named  by  Isaac  Howe,  a  railroad  civil 
engineer,  for  William  Cullcn  Bryant,  the  poet,  and  the  eriitor  of  The 
Evening  Post  of  New  York  City. 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line  49 

Bryant,  Langlade  County,  Wisconsin,   was  named  for  Sherburn  M.  Bryant    of 
Milwaukee,  the  owner  of  most  of  the  farm  land  in  the  vicinity,  and  who 
was  also  a  large  owner  of  timber  in  this  locality. 
Buda,  Bureau  County,  Illinois,  was  named  for  Buda,  in  Austria,  Europe. 
Buckbee,  Waupaca  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  Col.  J.  E.  Buckbee,  late 

of  the  Sixth  Michigan  regiment,  United  States  volunteers. 
Buckingham,   Tama    County,   Iowa,    was    named   from   the   county    in   Virginia 
and  that  was  named  from  Buckinghamshire,  in  England,   which  gave  its 
name  to  the  many  Dukes  of  Buckingham  of  English  history. 

Bucknum,  Natrona  County,  Wyoming.  Was  named  on  December  27,  1907,  for 
C.  K.  Bucknum,  a  member  of  the  Wyoming  legislature  and  a  large  ranch 
owner,  near  the  station,  by  Frank  Walters,  manager  of  the  railroad. 

Bull  Creek,  Pennington  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  from  the  nearby 
Bull  Creek,  which  is  a  branch  of  the  south  fork  of  the  Cheyenne  river. 
The  creek  was  named  by  trappers  who  found  a  buffalo  bull  "stalled"  in 
the  creek  where  it  had  been  driven  by  its  fellows. 

Buffalo  Gap,  Custer  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  from  a  nearby  "gap" 
in  the  "hills"  through  which  the  Buffalo  fork  of  the  Cheyenne  Eiver  came 
out  of  the  hills.  It  was  laid  out  by  the  Pioneer  Town  Site  Company  in 
1885.  In  a  recent  day  this  "Buffalo  fork"  was  frequented  as  "feeding 
grounds"  by  thousands  of  buffalo  (Bos  Americana).  This  fact  gave  it  its 
Indian  name,  of  which  the  present  name  is  a  transliteration. 

Buncombe,  La  Fayette  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  "Buncombe"  Gillett, 
the  owner  of  an  adjoining  farm,  who  was  a  prominent  local  politician  when 
the  station  and  town  were  established. 

Burchard,  Lyon  County,  Minnesota,  was  formerly  called  Bedwood  and  Shel- 
burn,  but  was  finally  named,  in  1886,  for  the  Hon.  H.  M.  Burchard,  an  early 
land  agent  of  the  railroad  company  at  Marshall,  Minn.  The  town  was 
laid  out  by  the  Winona  and  St.  Peter  Eailroad  Company  in  1886. 

Burke's  Siding,  Fall  River  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  for  John  L. 
Burke,  then  a  nearby  settler  and  stone  quarry  man  and  now  (1907) 
register  of  the  United  States  land  office  in  Rapid  City,  South  Dakota. 

Burnett  Junction,  Dodge  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  the  township, 
which  was  named  for  Ellsworth  Burnett,  a  member  of  a  United  States 
surveying  party,  who  was  shot  in  1836  by  Indians  on  Rock  River,  near  the 
present  site  of  Horicon,  Wisconsin. 

Burke,  Gregory  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  for  Congressman  C.  H. 
Burke,  of  Pierre,  Hughes  County,  S.  D. 

Burkmere,  Faulk  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  for  John  M.  Burke,  a 
director  of  the  Chicago  and  North  Western  Railway  Company.  It  was  laid 
out  by  the  Western  Town  Lot  Company  in  1886.  The  name  is  made  up 
of  Burke  and  mere.     The  last  part  of  the  word  is  used  for  euphony  only. 

Burnside,  Outagamie  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  Gen.  A.  E.  Burnside,  of 
Rhode  Island,  of  the  War  of  the  Rebellion. 

Burr,  Yellow  Medicine  County,  Minnesota.  The  town  was  platted  under  the 
name  of  Stanley  by  the  Winona  and  St.  Peter  Railroad  Company  in  1886. 
The  present  name  was  given  it  for  Burr  Anderson,  an  early  settler. 

Burt,  Kossuth  County,  Iowa,  was  named  for  Horace  G.  Burt,  once  chief  engineer 
of  the  Chicago  and  North  Western  Railway  Company.     It  was  platted  by 
the  Western  Town  Lot  Company  in  1881. 


50  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 

Butterfield,    Watonwan    County,    Minnesota,   was   named   by   and   for    "William 

Butterfield,  the  owner  of  the  town  site  and  its  first  settler. 
Buxton,    Monroe    County,    Iowa,    was    named    for   John    E.    Buxton,   for   many 

years  manager  of  extensive  coal  mines  here. 
Byron,   Olmsted   County,   Minnesota,   was   named   at   the   suggestion   of   G.   W. 

VanDusen,   an   early  grain  buyer,  for  his  old   home,  Port  Byron,  in   New 

York  State.     The  place  was  once  named  Bear  Grove,  from  the  fact  that 

in  early  days  many  bears  were  found  nearby. 
Cadams,  Nuckolls   County,   Nebraska,  was  platted   by  the   Pioneer   Town   Site 

Company  in  1901.     It  was  named  for  C.  Adams,  a  banker  of  Superior,  Neb. 

The  initial  "  C. "  of  his  given  name  was  added  to  his  family  name. 
Calamus,   Clinton   County,   Iowa,  was  named  by   S.   B.  Walker  from  a  nearby 

' '  Calamus    slough ' '    in    which    a    large    quantity  of  Acorus-calamus   (sweet 

flag)   grew  long  before  and  also  when  the  station  was  established. 
Caledonia,  Boone   County,   Illinois,  was  named   by  John   Ralston,    the   original 

owner   of    the   town    site,    from    Caledonia   one    of   the    poetical    names   of 

Scotland. 
Caledonia  Mine,  Iron   County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from   a  nearby  iron   ore 

mine,  the  mine   was  named   for   Caledonia,  one   of  the  poetical   names   of 

Scotland. 
Calhoun,    Waukesha   County,   Wisconsin,    was   named   for    George    E.    Calhoun, 

the  owner  of  the  farm  on  which  the  station  was  established. 
Cadoma,  Natrona  County,  Wyoming.     This  name  is  an  Indian  word  and  means 

"to  hide"  or  "to  secrete." 
California  Junction,  Harrison  County,  Iowa.     The  first  name  of  this  place  was 

Yazoo,  from  the  Yazoo  Landing  on  the  Missouri  River  a  few  miles  distant. 

The   name  was   changed  by  John   I.   Blair,  who   expected   that   passengers 

going  to  and   coming  from  California  would  be  forced  to  change  cars  at 

this  station. 
Callon,    Marathon    Coounty,    Wisconsin,    was    named    for   Patrick    Gallon,    the 

owner  of  large  tracts  of  land  in  this  vicinity.     He  lived  at  Wausau,  Wis- 
consin. 
Calvary,  Cook  County,  Illinois,  was  named  from  Calvary  Cemetery,  for  which 

the  station  was  established,  and  that  now  lies  alongside  the  station  grounds. 

The  cemetery  was  named  for  the  place  where  Christ  was  crucified. 
Calvary,  Fond  du  lac  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  by  F.  M.  Barrett,  a  rail- 
road contractor,  from  the  Calvary  Convent  located  near  the  station.     The 

convent  was  named  from  the  place  where  Christ  was  crucified. 
Cambria,   Blue   Earth    County,   Minnesota,   was  platted   by  the   Western   Town 

Lot  Company  in  1900;   the  village  was  named  from  the  township  and  that 

was  named  from  the  ancient  name  of  Wales. 
Camache,   Clinton    County,   Iowa,  was   named   for   the  Comanche  Indian  tribe. 

The  spelling  of  the  name  of  the  town  was  adopted  because  it  was  thought 

it  would  make  a  more  euphoneus  sound  than  the  real  Indian  word. 
Campbell,  Delta  County,  Michigan,  was  named  for  Robert  Campbell,  a  contractor 

who  built  a  part  of  the  Peninsula  Railroad  of  Michigan  between  Eseanaba 

and   Negaunee. 
Campbellsport,  Fond  du  lac  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  Stuart  Campbell, 

the  first  settler  in  the  place.   The  earliest  name  was  New  Cassel  from  Cassel 

in  Germany. 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line  51 


Camp  Grove,  Marshall  County,  Illinois,  was  platted  by  the  Railway  Company  in 
1901,  and  was  named  from   a  large  camp  that  existed  in  a  nearby  grove, 
when  the  town  was  platted. 
Camp  Logan,   Lake  County,  Illinois,  was  named   for  Gen.   John   A.   Logan,   of 

Illinois. 
Canby,  Yellow   Medicine  County,   Minnesota,   was    named    for    Gen.    E.   S.   R. 
Canby,    of   the   United   States   Army,    who    was    murdered    by   the    Modoc 
Indians.     The  town  was  laid  out  and  named  by  the  Winona  and  St.  Peter 
Eailroad  Company  in  1886. 
Canistota,  McCook  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  from  a  place  in  New  York 
State;    this   place   was    named   from    the    Indian     word    canistoe,    meaning 
"board  on  the  water."     It  was  laid  out  by  the  "Western  Town  Lot  Com- 
pany in  1883. 
Canning,  Hughes  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  for  George  Canning,  the 

British  statesman  and  orator. 
Canova,    Miner    County,    South   Dakota,   was   named    for   Antonio   Canova,   the 
Italian  artist   (sculptor).     It  was  platted  by  the  Western   Town  Lot  Com- 
pany in  1883. 
Capa,  Stanley   County,  South  Dakota,  this  town  was  platted  by  the  Western 
Town  Lot  Company  and   named  Russell  to  honor  Mr.   J.   R.  Russell.     He 
objected   to   this  use  of  his  name,  then  the  name  was  changed  to  Capa 
on    the    suggestion   of    Mr.    Doane    Robinson,    the    accomplished    secretary 
of  the  South   Dakota  Historical   Society.     The   word  is  Sioux  Indian   for 
Beaver.      (Castor    Canadensis.) 
Capron,  .Boone  County,  Illinois,  was  named  for   Capt.  John  Capron,  an  early 
settler  of  this  county.     The  first  name  given  the  place  was  Helgason,  and 
it  was  so  named  in  derision  by  S.  R.  Lattimer,  its  first  postmaster. 
Carbondale,  Menominee  County,  Michigan,  was  named  from  the  location  of  char- 
coal kilns  here.     They  made  charcoal  for  use  in  iron  furnaces  in  the  Upper 
Peninsula  of  Michigan. 
Careyhurst,  Converse  County,  Wyoming,  was  named  for  Hon.  John  M.  Carey, 
United  States  senator  from  Wyoming,  who  owned  large  tracts  of  land  along 
the  Platte  River  in  this  vicinity. 
Carnarvon,  Sac  County,  Iowa,  was  named  by  H.  M.  Hughes  for  the  county  and 
city  of  this  name  in  Wales,  from  whence  he  emigrated.     Before  this  name 
was  given  the  place  it  was  called  Wall  Lake  Junction,  owing  to   its  rela- 
tion to  Wall  Lake,  a  noted  body  of  water  in  this  vicinity. 
Carlisle,  Fillmore  County,  Nebraska,  was  platted  in  1901  under  the  name  Walters 
by  the  Pioneer  Town  Site  Company,  but  the  name  was  changed  to  honor 
John  G.  Carlisle,  secretary  of  the  treasury  under  President  Grover   Cleve- 
land. 
Carlton,   DeKalb  County,  Illinois.     The  first  name  was  Newtown,  and  was  so 
named   because  it  was  a  new  town  as  compared  with  other  places  in  the 
county.    The  present  name  is  from  Carlton,  N.  Y.,  and  that  place  was  named 
from  a  place  in  England. 
Carters  Siding,  Forest  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  John  Carter,  who  built 
the  first  house  in  what  is  now  the  village.     He  was  a  carpenter  and  took 
his  wife  and   two   little   girls  with   him   and   settled   in   what  was  then  a 
dense  wilderness. 


52  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 

Carney,  Menominee  County,  Michigan,  was  named  by  Isaac  Stephenson  of 
Marinette,  Wisconsin  for  Frederick  Carney,  of  Marinette,  who  had  a 
warehouse  at  this  point  when  the  village  was  established. 

Carnforth,  Poweshiek  County,  Iowa,  was  named  from  a  place  one  of  the 
officers  of  the  railroad  company  found  in  a  book  he  happened  to  be  reading 
when  he  was  asked  to  name  the  station. 

Carnforth  Crossing,  Poweshiek  County,  Iowa,  was  named  from  the  station 
above  named. 

Carpentersville,  Kane  County,  Illinois,  was  named  by  and  for  D.  G.  Carpenter, 
an  early  settler  in  Kane  County. 

Carroll,  Carroll  County,  Iowa,  was  named  from  the  county,  and  this  was  named 
for  Charles  Carroll  of  Carrollton,  Md.,  of  Revolutionary  fame. 

Carrollville,  Milwaukee  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  by  and  for  Patrick 
Carroll.  The  name  of  the  postoffice  is  Otjen  and  was  named  for  Theobald 
Otjen,  once  a  member  of  congress  from  Wisconsin. 

Carson,  Iron  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  John  B.  Carson,  a  prominent 
railroad  man  of  Ohio,  Illinois  and  Indiana,  and  who  was  an  inveterate 
fisherman,  and  who  penetrated  the  country  around  this  place  long  before 
any  settlers  lived  here  and  before  the  railroad  came. 

Cartersville,  Cerro  Gordo  County,  Iowa,  was  named  for  a  character — "Col. 
Carter,  of  Cartersville" — in  a  popular  work  of  fiction. 

Carthage,  Miner  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  by  F.  B.  Ward,  a  town  site 
agent,  from  Carthage,  N.  Y.  The  town  was  platted  by  the  Western  Town 
Lot  Company  in  1883. 

Gary,  McHenry  County,  Illinois,  was  named  for  W.  D.  Gary,  the  original  owner 
of  the  site  of  the  station  grounds. 

Cascade  Junction,  Marquette  County,  Michigan,  was  named  from  the  Cascade 
Iron  Mining  Company,  that  opened  and  operated  iron  mines  near  this 
locality. 

Casper,  Natrona  County,  Wyoming,  was  platted  by  the  Pioneer  Town  Site 
Company  in  1889.  This  town  and  station  takes  its  name  from  Fort  Casper. 
The  main  overland  trail  going  up  the  Platte  Valley  crossed  to  the  north 
side  of  the  river  near  this  place.  During  the  troubles  with  the  Sioux 
Indians  about  1S64  a  detachment  of  the  Ohio  volunteer  infantry  was 
stationed  there  to  protect  the  bridge  over  the  Platte  and  also  to  give 
protection  to  the  overland  travelers.  These  troops  were  commanded  by 
a  colonel  who  had  a  son,  a  young  man  eighteen  or  twenty  years  of  age, 
whose  first  name  was  Casper.  One  day  the  Indians  appeared  a  few  miles 
away  on  the  hills  on  the  north  side  of  the  Platte  and  as  the  Indian  force 
did  not  seem  to  be  large,  this  boy  asked  permission  of  his  father  to  go 
out  with  some  of  the  soldiers  and  drive  the  Indians  off.  In  the  fight  which 
resulted  the  boy  was  killed.  Afterwards  some  "adobe"  barracks  were 
erected  on  the  south  side  of  the  river  at  the  end  of  the  bridge  and  was 
kept  for  a  time  as  a  regular  military  post,  and  was  given  the  name  of 
Fort  Casper  in  memory  of  this  young  man. 

Castana,  Monona  County,  Iowa,  was  named  by  J.  P.  B.  Day,  one  of  the  first 
settlers  here,  from  what  he  understood  to  be  the  Latin  word  for  Chestnuts, 
as  he  thought  the  oak  trees  growing  there  resembled  the  chinkapin  (Castana 
pumila).  The  village  around  the  station  was  laid  out  by  the  Western 
Town  Lot  Company  in  1886,  and  the  name  of  the  old  settlement  retained 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line  53 


therefor.  Another  story  says  that  the  name  came  from  Castalia,  famoua 
springs  near  Delphi  in  ancient  Greece  on  the  slope  of  Mount  Parnassus, 
and  another  legend  is,  that  the  name  came  from  a  place  in  Asia-Minor. 
Castlewood,  Hamlin  County,  South  Dakota.  Much  fiction  has  been  made  and 
propagated  as  to  the  origin  of  the  name  of  this  place.  Amongst  this  fiction 
is  a  story  to  the  effect  that  the  name  of  the  place  was  made  from  the 
names  of  two  trainmen  who  were  said  to  have  run  the  first  train  of  the 
railroad  that  runs  through  the  place.  The  simple  fact  that  the  town  was 
named  Castlewood  and  platted  and  fixed  as  the  county  seat  of  Hamlin 
County  many  years  before  the  railroad  was  built  to  or  through  it,  is 
sufficient  of  itself  to  prove  the  falsity  of  that  story.  The  true  story  of 
the  name  and  of  the  naming  of  the  place  is  this:  In  the  early  eighties, 
Mr.  J.  S.  Keator,  of  Davenport,  Iowa,  bought  15,000  acres  of  land  in 
Hamlin  County,  established  his  headquarters  in  a  hotel  in  Watertown, 
S.  D.,  and  started  in  to  open  up  a  farm  or  ranch  in  the  center  of  his  tract, 
about  eleven  miles  south  of  Watertown,  to  which  point  he  drove  his  team 
daily,  or  nearly  so.  He  located  the  town  site,  and  his  daughter,  or  a  lady 
member  of  his  family,  named  the  same,  Castlewood,  from  the  American 
home  of  Henry  Esmond  in  Thackeray 's  novel,  The  Virginians.  This  novel 
opens  with  a  description  of  this  Castlewood  and  says  it  was  named  from 
Castlewood  in  the  County  of  Hants,  England.  The  Virginian  Castlewood, 
was,  by  Thackeray,  located  in  Westmoreland  County,  Virginia,  in  which 
George  Washington  was  born.  Mr.  Keator  told  this  story  to  Charles 
Williams,  member  of  congress  for  Wisconsin,  to  C.  W.  Tyson,  now  (1907) 
of  Nashua,  N.  H.,  and  to  the  writer  of  these  lines  long  before  any  railroad 
train  ever  reached  this  location.  When  the  railroad  was  built  through  this 
place,  the  Winona  and  St.  Peter  Eailroad  Company  located  its  station  here 
and  in  1882  laid  out  the  town  and  adopted  the  name  the  place  had  already 
carried  for  many  months  if  not  for  years.  Outside  of  all  of  this,  the  simple 
fact  that  the  county  seat  was  named  Castlewood,  before  the  railroad,  so 
far  as  is  known,  was  through,  is  sufficient  to  prove  that  no  railway  train- 
men's names  had  any  connection  whatever  with  the  name  of  the  place. 
Mr.  Keator 's  story  must  be  accepted  as  a  fact. 

Cato,  Manitowoc  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  by  John  Hickok  from  Cato, 
N.  Y.  Its  former  name  was  Harrisville,  so  named  for  N.  A.  and  J.  J. 
Harris;  it  was  afterwards  called  Nettle  Hill,  because  of  the  many  nettles 
(Urtica)  that  grew  in  the  vicinity.  Cato,  N.  Y.,  was  named  in  honor  of  the 
distinguished  Roman. 

Cavour,  Beadle  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  for  Carriello  Benno,  Count 
Cavour  (an  Italian  statesman)  to  honor  him  as  the  real  father  of  the 
railroads  of  Italy.  The  town  was  laid  out  by  the  Western  Town  Lot  Com- 
pany in  1880. 

Cecil,  Shawano  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  a  daughter  of  one  of  the 
officers  of  the  Milwaukee,  Lake  Shore  and  Western  Railway,  when  it  was 
constructed  through  this  place. 

Cedar,  Menominee  County,  Michigan.  Named  from  the  river.  This  was  so 
named  because  of  the  abundant  growth  of  Thuja  occidentolis  (white  cedar) 
on  its  banks. 

Cedar,  Iron  County,  Wisconsin.  The  name  came  from  the  cedar  (Arbor  vitae) 
that  abounded  around  the  place  when  the  town  was  established. 


54  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 

Cedar  Bluffs,  Saunders  County,  Nebraska,  was  platted  by  the  Pioneer  Town  Site 
Company  in  1886.  The  town  was  named  because  on  a  nearby  abrupt  bluff 
along  the  river,  on  which  a  large  quantity  of  "red  cedar"  (Juniperus 
Virginiana)    was  growing  when  the  place  was   laid  out. 

Cedar  Grove,  Sheboygan  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  a  grove  of  cedar 
(Thuja  occidentolis)  trees  that  grew  here  when  the  town  was  located. 

Cedar  Rapids,  Linn  County,  Iowa.  Named  from  the  rapids  in  Cedar  Eiver 
at  this  place.  The  river  was  named  from  the  fact  that  in  an  early  day 
the  Juniperus  Virginiana  (red  cedar)  grew  on  its  banks.  The  town  was 
platted  in  1838  by  William  Stone  and  was  named  Columbus.  In  1841  it 
was  again  laid  out  by  N.  B.  Brown  and  others  and  given  its  present  name. 

Center  Junction,  Jones  County,  Iowa,  was  named  by  the  original  owners  of  the 
town  site  because  it  was  at  the  geographical  center  of  the  county,  and 
was  to  be  the  crossing  (junction)  place  of  two  railroads. 

Central  City,  Lawrence  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  because  of  its  location 
about  half  way  between  two  other  villages  in  the  gulch  in  which  Deadwood, 
Lead  and  other  villages  are  located. 

Centervllle,  Turner  County,  South  Dakota.  Named  by  Dr.  Jesse  Smith  in  1871 
because  of  its  being  midway  between  Parker  and  Vermillion  on  the  old 
stage  road.  It  is  on  what  was  known  as  the  Vermillion  and  Swan  Lake 
stage  and  United  States  mail  route.  The  village  was  platted  by  the  West- 
ern Town  Lot  Company   in  1S83. 

Ceresco,  Saunders  County,  Nebraska,  was  platted  by  the  Pioneer  Town  Site 
Company  in  1886.  This  name  was  built  up  by  Professor  Saunderson  (who 
was  a  teacher  in  an  eastern  college  before  coming  to  Nebraska)  from  the 
Eoman  Ceres,  the  goddess  of  grains  and  of  their  harvests. 

Ceylon,  Martin  County,  Minnesota,  was  platted  under  the  name  of  Tenhassen 
by  the  Western  Town  Lot  Company  in  1899.  Its  present  name  was  taken 
from  the  island  off  the  southeast  coast  of  India. 

Chadron,  Dawes  County,  Nebraska,  was  platted  by  the  Pioneer  Town  Site  Com- 
pany in  1885.  The  town  was  named  from  a  nearby  stream;  the  stream  was 
named  for  Pierre  Chadron,  a  French-Indian  "squaw-man,"  who  lived  and 
trapped  on  the  stream.  He  was  at  one  time  a  trader  for  the  American 
Fur  Company  (of  St.  Louis,  Mo.)  and  had  his  headquarters  at  "Winter 
Quarters"  at  the  mouth  of  the  Cheyenne  Kiver  above  Fort  Pierre. 

Champion,  Marquette  County,  Michigan,  was  named  for  the  Champion  iron  mine 
that  is  located  nearby. 

Charleston,  York  County,  Nebraska,  was  platted  by  the  Pioneer  Town  Site 
Company  in  1887  and  was  named  for  Charles  A.  McCloud  of  York,  Neb., 
who  was  engaged  in  procuring  the  "right  of  way"  while  the  railroad  was 
being  located  and  built. 

Charlotte,  Clinton  County,  Iowa,  was  named  for  Mrs.  Charlotte  Gilman,  the  wife 

of  the  earliest  settler  in  the  locality. 
Chaison,  Delta  County,  Michigan,  was  named  for  Daniel  Chaison,  who  was  for 

thirty-five  years  a  section  foreman  of  the  railroad. 
Chatfield,   Fillmore   County,   Minnesota,   was   named   for   Andrew  G.   Chatfield, 

the  first  United  States  judge  for  the  territory  of  Minnesota. 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line  55 


Chelsea,  Tama  County,  Iowa.  The  original  name  of  this  place  was  Otter  Creek 
Station.  The  name  was  changed  in  1864  to  Chelsea  by  S.  G.  Breese,  one 
of  the  original  owners  of  land  near  the  town  site,  from  Chelsea,  Mass. 
The  town  was  platted  by  John  I.  Blair  and  associates. 
Chemung,  McHenry  County,  Illinois,  was  named  by  A.  M.  Seward  fwm  Che- 
mung, N.  Y.  The  name  is  an  Indian  word  meaning  "big  horn"  or  "big 
horn  in  the  water,"  the  Indians  having  found  the  skeleton  of  a  prehistoric 
monster  in  the  bank  of  the  river. 
Chittenden,  Lake  County,  Wisconsin.     It  was  named  for  Chittenden,  Vt.,  and 

that  was  named  for  Thomas  Chittenden,  governor  of  Vermont,  1790-07. 
Cherry  Valley.   Winnebago   County,   Illinois,  was   named   by   Edward   Fletcher, 
the  original  owner  of  the  town  site,  from  Cherry  Valley,  N.  Y.;  it  had  sev- 
eral names,  viz.,  Grabtown,  Graball   and  Butler,  before  the  present  name 
was  given  it. 
Chester,  Olmsted  County,  Minnesota,  is  an  elision   of   the  word   "Rochester," 

It  is  the  first  station  west  of  Kochester. 
Chester,  Dodge  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  the  township  it  was  located 
in.     The   township  was   named  from   Chester  in   Hampden   County,   Mass., 
and  this  was  named  from  Chester,  in  England. 
Chicago  Highlands,  Cook  County,  Illinois.     This  name  merely  indicates  a  point 
that  is  shown  on  the  time  table  of  the  road.     The  name  has  no  historical 
significance.     It  is  not  much  more  than  a  name.     It  was  a  "boom  town," 
but  financial  perils  succeeded  and  today  it  is  hoping  for  future  prosperity. 
Chicago,  Cook  County,  Illinois.     In  his  "American  Indian"  E.  M.  Haines,  who 
knew  more  about  the  North   American   Indian   than   any   other  writer   of 
modern  times,  said  "the  same  Indian  word,  or  one  having  the  same  sound 
in  different  languages  or  dialects,  have  entirely  different  meanings."     The 
word  Chicago,   or  that  which  is  essentially  the  same,  is  found  in  several 
(Indian)   languages  or  dialects,   with  entirely  different  meanings.     He  says 
Chicago  is  understood  to  be  an  Indian  word.     What  its  meaning  is,  or,  if 
it    has   any   particular    meaning,    is    in    dispute.      The   word    comes    to    ua 
through  the  early  French  explorers  as  an  Indian  word  from  the  language 
of  the  Algonquin  group.     Those  who  have  confined  their  investigation   to 
the  Ojibway  dialect,  without  reference  to  other  dialects  of  the  Algonquin 
language,  reach  the  conclusion  that  it  means  "onion,"  "garlic,"  "leek" 
or  "skunk."     No  one  seems,  previous  to  the  rebuilding  of  Fort  Dearborn 
(at  what  is  now  Chicago)  in  1816,  to  have  made  any  special  inquiry  as  to 
the  origin  or  meaning  of  the  word.     Col.  S.  A.  Starrow,  who  visited   the 
Fort  in  1817  in  a  letter  to  Gen.  Jacob  Brown  of  the  United  States  army, 
refers  to  the  river  as  "the  Biver  Chicago,"  or  in  English,  "Wild  Onion 
River."     Schoolcraft  in  his  "Narrative  of  an  expedition  to  the  source  of 
the   Mississippi    River   in    1820"    says   the   "banks   of   the    river    produce 
abundantly  the  wild  species  of  "cepa"  or  "leek"  and  that  this  circum- 
stance led  the  Indians  to  name  it  the  place  of  the  wild  leek."     He  then 
says:    "Such   is  the  origin   of  the  term   Chicago,  which   is   derivative  by 
elision  and  French  annotation  for  the  word  Chi-laug-ong."     Kaug  is  the 
Algonquin  name  for  the  Hystrix  or  porcupine.     It  takes  the  prefix  chi  when 
applied   to   the  Musela   putorius    (pole   cat).     .     .     .     The   penultimate  ong 
denotes  locality.    The  putorius  is  so  named  from  the  plant."  Bishop  Baraga 
in  an  appendix  to  his  Ojibway  dictionary,  says  that  the  word  "Chicago" 


56  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 

is  a  word  in  the  Cree  dialect,  a  tribe  of  the  Algonquin  group  called  also 
Knistenos.  From  Chicago  or  Sikag,  a  skunk,  a  kind  of  pole  cat,  a  word 
which  at  the  local  term  makes  Chicagolc.  The  bishop,  in  his  dictionary, 
defines  an  onion  in  the  Ojibway  dialect  as  Kit-chi-ji-ga-gman-ji  (French 
orthography).  The  definition  of  onion  by  Kev.  Edward  F.  Wilson  in  his 
dictionary  of  the  Ojibway  dialect,  is  Kech-shi-gaug-uh-wunzh.  He  defines 
skunk  as  Zhe-gang.  John  Tanner,  for  thirty  years  a  captive  among  the 
Ojibways  defines  skunk  as  she-gahg.  He  defines  onion  as  she-gau-ga-winzhe 
(skunk  weed).  The  word  Chicago,  is  first  mentioned  in  early  western  his- 
tory by  Hennepein,  when  speaking  of  the  river.  He  says  it  was  named  by 
the  savages  Chi-cau-gou.  The  name  Chi-ka-gou  appears  in  a  map  by  Fran- 
quelin  in  1684,  applied  to  a  river  putting  into  the  Desplaines  from  the  east 
at  a  point  just  above  the  Kankakee  River;  while  at  the  head  of  Lake  Michi- 
gan on  this  map  is  the  word  Che-ca-gou-mein-an.  At  a  later  date,  what  is 
now  called  the  Desplaines  River,  was  called  by  the  early  French  explorers 
the  Eiver  Che-ka-gou.  Che-ca-gua  was  the  name  of  a  noted  Sac  Indian 
chief  and  meant  in  that  dialect,  "he  that  stands  by  the  tree."  In  the 
Pottawatomie  dialect  the  word  Choe-ca-go  meant  "destitute,"  or  "got 
none."  At  the  time  the  word  first  appeared  in  this  locality,  the  country 
about  was  inhabited  by  the  Miamis  Indian  tribe,  in  whose  language  the 
word  for  skunk  was  se-kaw-kwaw.  The  Miamis,  it  seems,  were  succeeded 
here  by  the  Pottawatomies.  In  a  report  written  in  1695  at  Michillimacinac 
where  he  then  commanded  La  Mothe  Cadillac  wrote  ' '  The  post  of  Chicagou 
comes  next.  This  word  signifies  "the  Eiver  of  Garlic,"  because  it  pro- 
duces naturally  without  any  cultivation  a  very  large  quantity  of  it."  See 
Margry  's  Decouvertes  et  Etablissments,  volume  5,  page  123.  This  work 
is  also  quoted  from  by  J.  P.  Dunn  in  his  memoir  of  Father  Gibault,  who 
was  potent  in  inducing  the  French  residents  of  "The  Illinois  Country" 
to  accept  the  rule  of  the  Americans  under  George  Rogers  Clark.  For  a 
reference  to  Father  Marquette 's  visits  to  Chicago,  see  record  of  Marquette 
County,  Michigan,  in  this  work.  In  early  works  the  spelling  of  the 
word  Chicago  has  been  nearly  infinite.  A  few  samples  thereof  are 
as  follows:  Cheggego,  Cheegago,  Tzstchago,  Stktschagko,  Chirgago,  Shecago, 
Shikkago,  Shercaggo,  Schenkakko,  Zheekako,  Ztschaggo,  Chiccago,  Checago, 
Chicawgo,  Chikkago,  Chiggago,  Shakakko,  Schuerkaigo,  Pscesehaggo,  Stks- 
chaga.  Tschakko. 

Choate,  Ontonagon  County,  Michigan,  was  named  for  Leander  Choate  of  Osh- 
kosh,  Wis.,  who  owned  large  tracts  of  timber  land  in  this  neighborhood. 

Claremont,  Dodge  County,  Minnesota.  The  village  was  named  from  the  town- 
ship and  that  was  named  from  the  city  of  Claremont,  Sullivan  County, 
N.  H.,  and  that  was  named  from  the  country  seat  of  Clive,  an  English 
general. 

Clarence,  Cedar  County,  Iowa,  was  first  called  Onion  Grove  from  a  nearby 
natural  grove.  At  the  solicitation  of  the  people  of  the  town,  the  name 
was  changed  by  the  owners  of  the  town  site.  The  present  name  was  sug- 
gested by  Mr.  J.  Vandeventer,  now  (1907)  of  Knoxville,  Tenn.,  from  Clar- 
ence Hollow,  a  beautiful  little  village  in  Erie  County,  New  York. 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line  57 


Clark,  Clark  County,  South  Dakota.  The  station  was  named  from  the  county. 
The  county  was  named  for  Newton  Clark,  a  Dakota  territorial  legislator 
of  1873.  It  was  platted  by  the  Western  Town  Lot  Company  in  1882.  For 
a  short  time  this  place  was  called  Clark  Center. 
Clarkson,  Colfax  County,  Nebraska,  was  platted  by  the  1'ioneer  Town  Site 
Company  in  1886,  and  was  named  for  T.  S.  Clarkson,  who  lived  at  Schuyler, 
Neb.,  and  who  was  afterwards  postmaster  at  Omaha,  Neb. 
Claywood,  Oconto  County,  Wisconsin.    This  name  was  supposed  to  be  descriptive 

of  the  location — clay  soil  in  a  deep  wood. 
Clearwater,  Antelope  County,  Nebraska,  was  platted  by  the  Pioneer  Town  Site 
Company  in  1885  and  was  named  from  a  nearby  stream  that  was  noted  for 
the  clearness  of  its  water. 
Clearemans,  Menominee  County,  Michigan,  was  named  for  Jerry  Cleareman,  a 

' '  woodsman  ' '   of   the  place. 
Clements,  Redwood  County,  Minnesota,  was  platted  by  the  Western  Town  Lot 
Company  in  1902,  and  was  named  by  and  for  P.  O.  Clements,  an  early  settler. 
Cleveland,  Manitowoc  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  ex-President  Grover 
Cleveland,  by  the  merchants  of  the  village.    It  was  once  called  Centerville. 
Cliff  House,  Sauk  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  by  W.  H.  Marsh,  the  builder 
of  the  hotel  known  as  ' '  The  Cliff  House, ' '  for  the  reason — the  station  and 
the  hotel  were  located  under  the  high  "cliffs"  of  Devil's  Lake. 
Clinton,  Clinton  County,  Iowa,  was  named  in  1855  from  the  county,  which  was 
named  for  DeWitt   Clinton,  governor  of  New  York  and  projector  of  the 
Erie   canal.      The   original   location   of    Clinton  was   called    New   York  by 
J.  M.  Bartlett,  who  laid  it   out.     The  name  was  changed  in  1855  by  the 
Iowa  Land  Company,  that  had  bought  the  town  site  and  nearby  land. 
Clinton,   Sheridan   County,  Nebraska,   was  platted  by  the   Pioneer   Town   Site 

Company  in  1894,  and  was  named  from  Clinton,  Iowa. 
Clinton  Junction,  Rock  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  the  township,  which 
by  the  legislature  was  named  for  DeWitt  Clinton,  governor  of  New  York 
State.     It  also  happened  that  several  of  the  early  settlers  here  emigrated 
from  Clinton,  N.  Y.,  and  they  procured  the  naming  of  the  place  for  their 
old   governor   and    from    their    old   home.      The    station    was    once    named 
Ogden  for  W.  B.  Ogden,  president  of  the  Chicago  and  North  Western  Rail- 
road. 
Clintonville,  Waupaca   County,   Wisconsin,  was   originally   named   Clinton,  but 
ultimately    was    changed    to    the    present    name.      The    names    came    from 
DeWitt  Clinton,  ex-governor  of  New  York. 
Clover  Dale,  Juneau   County,   Wisconsin.     This  is  a  mere  fanciful  descriptive 

name  and  has  no  special  significance  as  to  the  place. 
Clowry,  Marquette  County,   Michigan,  was  named  for  Col.  Robert   C.   Clowry, 
president  of  the   Western  Union  Telegraph  Company,  which  bought  many 
telegraph  poles  at  this  point. 
Clutier.  Tama  County,  Iowa,  was  named  for  B.  F.  Clutier  of  Tama,  Iowa. 
Clybourn  Junction,  Cook  County,  Illinois,  was  formerly  called  Clybourne  Place, 
from  one  of  the  streets  of  Chicago.     This  was  named  for  Peter  Clybourne, 
one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Chicago.     The  word  Place  was  dropped  and  the 
word  Junction  inserted,  as  it  was  the  junction  of  two  lines  of  railroad. 
Clyman,  Dodge  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  Col.  Joseph  Clyman,  a  noted 
Indian  fighter,  in  the  early  days  of  Wisconsin. 


58  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 

Cobb,  Iowa  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  by  and  for  Amasa  Cobb,  a  congress- 
man who  secured  the  establishment  of  the  postoffice  at  this  place.  It 
formerly  was  called  Cross  Plains,  because  it  was  at  this  point,  the  old 
territorial  road,  crossed  the  level  plains  or  prairies. 

Cobden,  Brown  County,  Minnesota.  The  original  name  was  North  Branch,  but 
in  1886  it  was  changed  to  Cobden  for  the  English  statesman. 

Cody,  Cherry  County,  Nebraska.  This  place  was  named  for  "Tom"  Cody, 
a  foreman  of  construction,  while  the  railroad  was  being  built. 

Coffee  Siding,  Converse  County,  Wyoming,  was  named  for  Charles  F.  Coffee, 
a  banker  and  cattle  raiser  of  the  vu-iiity. 

College  Avenue,  Du  Page  County,  Illinois.  This  name  merely  indicates  a  point 
that  is  shown  on  the  time  table  of  the  road.  The  name  has  no  historical 
significance. 

Crawford  Avenue,  Cook  County,  Illinois.  This  name  merely  indicates  a  point 
that  is  shown  on  the  time  table  of  the  road.  The  name  has  no  historical 
significance. 

Colo,  Story  County,  Iowa,  was  named  by  John  I.  Blair  from  a  child's  pronuncia- 
tion of  Carlo,  the  name  of  a  favorite  dog  belonging  to  the  owner  of  the 
land  on  which  the  station  was  located. 

Colon,  Seward  County,  Nebraska.  This  town  was  platted  by  the  Pioneer  Town 
Site  Company  in  1886,  and  was  named  for  a  postoffice  that  had  been  located 
here  before  there  was  any  town.  It  was  named  from  Colon,  Mich.,  and 
that  was  named  from  the  city  in  Columbia  on  the  Isthmus  of  Panama. 

Columbia.  Brown  County,  South  Dakota.  The  original  name  was  Kichmond, 
from  Kichmond,  111.  The  present  name  was  given  the  village  by  C.  B. 
Peck  and  William  Townsend,  of  Lansing,  Mich.,  who  were  settled  here 
before  the  railroad  reached  this  place.  Mr.  Peck  took  the  present  name 
from  the  title  of  the  well  known  "Hail  Columbia."  The  Dakota  or  James 
Biver  runs  by  this  place  and  is  the  outlet  of  Lake  T-ch-an-chi-ka-ha,  as  the 
Indians  called  it,  or  Sand  Lake,  as  Nicollett  and  Fremont  named  it  in 
183S-9.  Mr.  Townsend  built  a  flour  mill  on  the  river  at  the  outlet  of  the 
lake  before  the  railroad  reached  the  place. 

Combined  Locks,  Outagamie  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  the  canal 
locks  in  the  Fox  Kiver  at  this  point. 

Comfrey,  Brown  County,  Minnesota.  This  town  was  platted  by  the  Western 
Town  Lot  Company,  in  1902  and  was  named  from  a  nearby  postoffice.  That 
was  named  by  A.  W.  Pederson,  the  first  postmaster  from  the  plant  Com- 
frey (Symphytini  officinalis)  that  he  had  met  with  in  his  reading. 

Commonwealth.  Florence  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  the  Common- 
wealth Iron  Mining  Company's  mine,  which  was  located  here. 

Conde,  Spink  County,  South  Dakota,  was  platted  by  the  Western  Town  Lot 
Company  in  1886,  and  was  named  for  the  great  Conde  family  of  French 
history  and  especially  for  Louis  I  and  Louis  II,  "The  great  Conde,"  and 
for  he  who  finally  became  Henry  I. 

Conover,  Vilas  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  Seth  H.  Conover  of  Plymouth, 
Wis.,  who  owned  a  hotel  and  summer  resort  on  a  lake  in  the  vicinity. 

Conrad,  Grundy  County,  Iowa.  This  station  was  named  from  Conrad's  Grove, 
a  large  grove  of  trees  nearby — that  was  named  by  and  for  John  Conrad,  the 
earliest  settler  in  this  grove.  The  town  at  one  time  was  called  Conrad's 
Grove. 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line  59 


Cordova,  Seward  County,  Nebraska.  Thi9  place  was  platted  under  the  name 
of  Hunkins  for  an  old  settler  of  that  name,  by  the  Pioneer  Town  Site  Com- 
pany in  1887.  The  station  was  finally  named  from  the  Anglicized  spelling 
of  the  city  in  Spain. 

Cornlea,  Platte  County,  Nebraska,  was  platted  by  the  Pioneer  Town  Site  Com- 
pany in  1886.  The  name  is  supposed  to  mean  "corn  land"  and  was  adopted 
because  of  the  superior  quality,  for  the  culture  of  corn,  of  the  soil  in  the 
vicinity. 

Connor's,  Forest  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  W.  D.  Connor,  a  promi- 
nent Wisconsin  politician  and  owner  of  a  nearby  sawmill. 

Cottonwood,  Stanley  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  from  the  nearby  creek. 
The  creek  was  so  named  because  of  the  many  cottonwood  {Poyulus  hetero- 
plylla)  trees  that  grew  on  its  banks  when  the  town  was  established.  This 
place  was  originally  called  Ingham  for  J.  Ingham  Gray.  Ingham  was  his 
mother's  name.    The  place  was  so  named  by  a  son  to  honor  his  father. 

Correctionville,  Woodbury  County,  Iowa,  was  in  1856  named  by  the  surveyors 
who  platted  the  town,  from  the  fact  that  it  was  on  the  "correction  line," 
a  line  that  was  established  for  the  verification  and  correction  of  the  land 
surveys. 

Cortland,  DeKalb  County,  Illinois,  was  named  by  S.  L.  Porter,  from  Cortland, 
N.  Y.,  which  was  named  for  Pierre  Van  Cortlandt. 

Cottage  Grove,  Dane  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  by  W.  C.  Wells,  from  a  cot- 
tage he  built  in  a  grove  three  miles  northwest  of  this  station. 

Council  Bluffs,  Pottawatomie  County,  Iowa.  The  name  "Council  Bluffs"  was 
taken  from  a  series  of  high  and  precipitous  hills  or  "bluffs"  on  the  west 
bank  of  the  Missouri  Eiver,  in  what  is  now  Washington  County,  Nebraska, 
and  many  miles  above  the  present  city.  These  Nebraska  bluffs  were  named 
"Council  Bluffs"  by  Lewis  and  Clark,  while  on  their  journey  up  the  Mis- 
souri Eiver  in  1804-5.  They  held  a  council  here  with  the  Indians,  and  since 
that  time  many  councils  were  also  held  there.  Maximilian,  Prince  of 
Weid  (Germany)  journeyed  up  the  Missouri  River  in  1832-4  and  in  his 
journal  said:  "We  passed  the  mouth  of  Boyer  Creek  on  the  east  bank 
where  the  Missouri  River  makes  a  bend  and  saw  [on  the  west  bank]  the 
ruins  of  the  former  cantonment  or  fort  of  Council  Bluffs.  This  fort  was 
established  in  1819  for  1,000  men."  Thwaits  says  as  to  the  location  of  this 
Council  Bluffs:  "It  was  near  the  village  now  known  as  Fort  Calhoun,  in 
Washington  County  [Nebraska].  Lewis  and  Clark  first  named  them  [the 
bluffs  on  which  the  cantonment  was  built]  and  held  a  council  here  [with  the 
Indians]  in  1804.  The  fort  [  first  built  here]  was  known  [in  the  United 
States  records]  as  Fort  Atkinson  from  the  commander  of  an  expedition 
that  started  for  the  Yellowstone  River  in  1819.  It  got  no  further  than  this 
point  and  built  a  camp  which  Col.  Atkinson  called  "Fort  Missouri"  and 
stayed  there  the  winter  of  1819-20.  Another  fort  was  afterwards  built  here, 
or  the  original  one  was  repaired  and  was  named  Fort  Calhoun  for  John  C. 
Calhoun,  secretary  of  war  under  President  Monroe,  or,  for  a  soldier  of  the 
force  that  occupied  it.  The  question  is  in  dispute."  The  present  location 
was  named  Council  Bluffs  on  petition  of  the  citizens  of  the  town,  by  the 
legislature  of  Iowa  in  1853.  The  original  settlement  here  was  called 
"Miller's  Hill"  from  a  Mormon  family  that  had  located  here.  It  was 
then   called  Hart's  Bluffs  for  another  Mormon   leader.     That  name  was 


60  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 


changed  to  "Trader's  Point"  because  several  stores  were  started  there 
at  which  the  westbound  Mormons  could  supply  themselves  for  their  journey 
over  the  plains.  In  1846  Col.  T.  L.  Kane,  of  Philadelphia,  went  to  the 
Missouri  Eiver  to  enlist  a  regiment  of  Mormona  for  the  Mexican  war. 
As  the  Mormons  were  at  this  time  congregated  and  congested  here  on 
their  way  to  the  Valley  of  Salt  Lake,  after  their  persecutions  in  Missouri 
and  Illinois,  there  was  much  suffering  among  them.  This  appealed  to  Col. 
Kane  and  he  aided  them  in  every  way  that  it  was  possible  for  him  to  do. 
In  gratitude  for  this  kindness,  the  leaders  of  the  Mormon  Church  named 
the  settlement  'Kaneville'  in  his  honor.  After  the  general  hejira  many 
Mormons  came  to  this  location,  and  in  time  the  people  became  so  wrought 
up  on  account  of  the  stigma  that  had  become  attached  to  the  Mormon  name, 
they  became  dissatisfied  with  the  name  of  the  village  and  petitioned  the 
legislature  to  change  it,  which  was  finally  done  in  1853. 

Council  Bluffs  Transfer,  Pottawatomie  County,  Iowa,  was  formerly  called 
Union  Pacific  Transfer,  and  was  so  named  from  the  fact  that  at  this  place 
the  Union  Pacific  railroad  made  connections  in  a  Union  depot  with  all  of 
the  railroads  from  the  east  that  came  together  here. 

County  Line,  Eacine  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  the  fact  that  the 
Milwaukee  and  Eacine  County  line  ran  through  the  station  grounds.  The 
name  of  the  postoffice  is  Lamberton. 

Courtland.  Nicollet  County,  Minnesota,  was  named  by  J.  H.  Stewart  from 
Courtland  (Kurland),  one  of  the  Germanized  Baltic  provinces  of  Eussia. 
The  misspelling  of  the  name  was  accidental  and  not  discovered  until  too 
late  to  correct  it  without  much  trouble. 

Cragin,  Cook  County,  Illinois,  was  named  for  H.  B.  Cragin,  an  early  business 
man  of  the  locality. 

Craigsmere,  Ontonagon  County,  Michigan.  The  name  is  one  made  for  use  here. 
It  has  no  real  meaning  or  significance. 

Cranberry  Center,  Juneau  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  the  fact  that 
this  was  the  center  of  the  Cranberry  (V actinium  macrocarpon)  industry 
of  Wisconsin,  and  from  which  the  station  derives  most  of  its  business. 

Crandon,  Spink  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  for  Frank  P.  Crandon,  a 
trusted  and  valued  officer  of  the  railroad  company.  This  place  was  platted 
under  the  name  of  Minden  by  the  Western  Town  Lot  Company  in  1881. 

Crandon,  Forest  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  by  its  first  settlers  for  Frank  P. 
Crandon,  an  officer  of  the  Chicago  and  North  Western  Eailway  Company. 
The  town  was  platted  by  the  Chicago  and  North  Western  Eailway  Com- 
pany in  1901.  The  place  was  first  named  Ayr,  the  city  of  Scotland  made 
noted  by  Eobert  Burns. 

Crawford,  Dawes  County,  Nebraska,  was  platted  by  the  Pioneer  Town  Site  Com- 
pany in  1886  and  was  named  to  honor  Capt.  "Jack"  Crawford  of  the 
United  States  army,  who  was  a  noted  Indian  fighter  in  the  early  days  of 
Nebraska,  and  who  was  killed  by  the  Apache  Indians  in  Arizona. 

Creighton,  Knox  County,  Nebraska,  was  laid  out  by  the  Pioneer  Town  Site  Com- 
pany in  1885,  and  was  named  for  Edward  Creighton,  of  Omaha,  by  a  Mr. 
Bruce  who  was  interested  in  the  place. 

Crescent,  Pottawatomie  County,  Iowa,  was  named  by  Brigham  Young,  presi- 
dent of  the  Mormon  Church,  from  the  cresentic  formation  of  the  bluffs 
that  nearly  surround  the  place. 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line  61 


Creston,  Ogle  County,  Illinois.  The  original  name  of  this  station  and  village 
was  Dement,  they  having  been  named  for  Col.  John  Dement,  an  early 
settler  of  Northern  Illinois.  The  present  name  came  from  the  fact  that 
the  location  is  the  "crest"  or  highest  point  on  the  railroad  between  Lake 
Michigan  and  the  Mississippi  Eiver. 

Creston.  Platte  County,  Nebraska,  was  platted  by  the  Pioneer  Town  Site  Com- 
pany in  1886.  The  place  was  named  because  it  was  located  on  top  of  a 
hill,  whence  the  water  on  the  east  side  ran  into  the  Elkhorn  Eiver  and  that 
on  the  west  side  into  the  Platte  Eiver. 

Crocker,  Polk  County,  Iowa,  was  named  from  the  township,  which  was  named 
for  Col.  Crocker,  a  prominent  citizen  of  Des  Moines,  Iowa.  It  was  platted 
by  the  Western  Town  Lot  Company  in  1880. 

Crookston,  Cherry  County,  Nebraska,  was  platted  by  the  Pioneer  Town  Site 
Company  in  1894  and  was  named  for  W.  T.  Crook,  a  yard  master  of  the 
railroad  at  Valentine,  Neb.,  during  the  construction  of  the  railroad  through 
this  part  of  the  state. 

Crossman's,  Sauk  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  Col.  Jacob  Crossman,  a 
nearby  early  settler. 

Crowell,  Dodge  County,  Nebraska,  was  named  for  Prince  S.  Crowell  of  East 
Dennis,  Mass.,  who  at  one  time  was  president  of  the  Fremont,  Elkhorn  and 
Missouri  Valley  Kailroad  Company. 

Crown  Hill,  Lawrence  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  from  a  nearby  hill, 
that  was  named  from  a  mine,  that  was  staked  out  on  the  hill  by  the  Crown 
Mining  Company. 

Crozier's  Mill,  Gogebic  County,  Michigan,  was  named  for  W.  A.  Crozier  who 
established  a  sawmill  at  this  point. 

Crystal  Falls,  Iron  County,  Michigan,  was  named  from  the  falls  in  Paint  Eiver 
that  flows  by  the  station.  This  name  was  first  applied  to  the  falls  in  Paint 
Eiver  by  Eichard  Corman,  a  "timber  cruiser,"  who  saw  the  foliage  that 
overhung  the  falls  densely  covered  with  ice  crystals  after  a  very  heavy  sleet 
storm. 

Crystal  Lake,  McHenry  County,  Illinois,  was  named  from  an  adjacent  lake 
which  was  and  is  still  noted  for  the  crystal  purity  of  its  waters.  The  town 
postoffice  is  Nunda  and  was  so  named  by  W.  H.  Hoffman  from  Nunda, 
N.  Y.,  whence  he  had  emigrated.  Nunda  is  derived  from  the  Indian  word 
nundao,  meaning  "hilly"  or  according  to  another  authority  "potato 
ground." 

Cuba,  Lake  County,  Illinois,  was  named  by  the  owners  of  the  town  site  from 
the  island  of  Cuba. 

Cuba  City,  Grant  County,  Wisconsin,  was  by  Craiglow  and  Stephens,  the  owners 
of  the  town  site  named  Yuba  from  a  place  in  California,  but  the  name  was 
rejected  by  the  postoffice  department  in  Washington,  when  the  citizens  then 
gave  it  its  present  name. 

Cudahy,  Milwaukee  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  Patrick  Cudaby,  the 
founder  of  the  village  and  a  large  owner  of  property  therein. 

Cushing,  Woodbury  County,  Iowa,  was  named  by  the  Blair  Town  Lot  and 
Land  Company,  that  platted  it,  for  L.  Cushing  Kimball  of  Boston,  Mass., 
who  was  a  brother  of  David  P.  Kimball,  who  for  many  years  has  been  and 
yet  is  a  most  influential  and  valued  director  of  the  Chicago  and  North 
Western  Eailway  Company.     The  earlier  name  of  the  place  was  Penrose. 


62  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 

Cuyler,  Cook  County,  Illinois.  This  station  was  formerly  called  "Belle  Plaine," 
but  was  changed  to  honor  Edward  J.  Cuyler,  a  loyal  and  valued  officer 
of  the  railway  company. 

Daggett,  Menominee  County,  Michigan,  was  named  for  the  family  name  of  the 
wife  of  Thomas  Falkner,  the  first  postmaster  of  the  place. 

Dakota  City.  Humboldt  County,  Iowa,  was  named  by  Edward  McKnight  in  1855 
for  the  Dakota  (Sioux)  tribe  of  Indians.  The  name  of  the  postoffice  was, 
by  a  mistake  made  in  Washington,  D.  C,  spelled  "Dakotah,"  but  the  local 
spelling  was  never  made  to  conform  thereto. 

Dakota  Junction.  Dawes  County,  Nebraska,  was  so  named  because  at  this  point, 
the  railroad  branches,  one  stem  running  into  Dakota  and  the  other  into 
Wyoming. 

Dalzell,  Bureau  County,  Illinois,  was  named  for  S.  M.  Dalzell  of  the  Spring 
Valley   and  other  coal  companies. 

Dale,  Washington  County,  Nebraska,  was  named  for  Gen.  Samuel  Dale,  of 
Alabama. 

Dallas,  Gregory  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  from  Dallas,  Texas,  by  Jack- 
son Brothers,  early  settlers  of  this  place.  Dallas,  Texas  was  named  for  G.  M. 
Dallas,  once  vice  president  of  the  United  States. 

Danbury,  Woodbury  County,  Iowa,  was  named  from  the  first  syllable  of  the 
given  name,  Daniel,  of  Daniel  Thomas,  who  established  the  town,  added 
to  the  word  "bury,"  which  was  taken  from  the  name  of  the  county. 

Dane,  Dane  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  in  honor  of  Nathan  Dane,  an  Amer- 
ican jurist  and  a  member  of  congress  and  the  originator  of  the  ordinance 
of  1787  that  applied  to  the  northwest. 

Darfur,  Watonwan  County,  Minnesota,  was  platted  by  the  Western  Town  Lot 
Company  in  1899  and  was  named  from  the  country  in  Egypt.  The  word 
means  the  country  of  the  "Fars"  or  "Fors,"  a  name  used  there  for  the 
real  natives  of  the  country. 

Davey,  Lancaster  County,  Nebraska,  was  platted  by  the  Pioneer  Town  Site 
Company  in  1886,  and  was  named  for  John  Davey,  the  farmer  who  owned 
the  land  on  which  the  town  site  is  located. 

Davenport.  Thayer  County,  Nebraska,  was  named  from  Davenport,  Iowa,  and 
that  was  named  by  Anthony  Le  Claire,  for  Col.  George  Davenport,  an  Indian 
fur  trader  and  an  early  settler  on  the  island  of  Rock  Island  in  the  Missis- 
sippi River,  who  was  murdered  in  his  home  there,  in  the  early  forties. 

David  City,  Butler  County,  Nebraska,  was  named  for  David  Butler,  the  first 
governor  of  the  State  of  Nebraska. 

Dayton,  Webster  County,  Iowa.  This  station  was  once  called  West  Dayton, 
but  for  brevity  the  name  was  shortened.  It  was  named  by  E.  B.  Allison 
from  Dayton,  Ohio,  which  was  named  for  Jonathan  Dayton,  one  of  the 
original  proprietors. 

Deadwood,  Lawrence  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  from  "  Deadwood 
Gulch,"  and  that  was  named  from  the  fact  that  the  gulch  was  filled  with 
dead  timber  when  prospectors  for  gold  first  entered  it.  At  an  early  day 
the  location  was  called  "Miles  City,"  for  Gen.  Miles  of  the  United  States 
army,  who  was  supposed  to  have  chased  Indians  in  the  vicinity. 
Deckers,  Ozaukee  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  the  Decker  family,  who 
owned  property  and  were  early  settlers  here. 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line  63 

Deep  River,  Poweshiek  County,  Iowa,  was  named  from  the  river  and  that  was 
named  for  its  great  and  unusual  depth.  The  name  is  a  transliteration  of 
the  Indian  word  sap-pom-ah,  meaning  "deep  stream,"  "deep  water,"  "deep 
place  in  stream." 

Deerbrook,  Langlade  County,  Wisconsin,  is  a  fanciful  name  that  was  made  for 
the  place,  and  is  based  on  a  legend  that  deer  were  occasionally  seen  here 
while  they  were  drinking  from  the  brook  that  runs  by  the  place. 

Dimmick,  LaSalle  County,  Illinois,  was  named  for  "Squire"  J.  Dimmick,  an 
old  settler  and  large  land  owner  in  the  vicinity. 

Divide,  Vilas  County,  Wisconsin,  was  so  named  because  it  is  located  on  the 
divide  (elevated  ridge  of  land)  between  two  branches  of  the  west  branch 
of  the  Flambeau  River. 

Deerfield,  Dane  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  the  township,  and  that  was 
so  named  because,  when  the  township  was  first  opened  for  settlers,  deer 
were  very  plentiful  and  were  in  the  habit  of  feeding  here. 

Deering,  Ccok  County,  Illinois,  is  merely  a  station  within  the  city  of  Chicago, 
and  was  named  for  William  Deering,  who  established  an  agricultural 
implement  factory  here  before  the  city  of  Chicago  was  extended  to  this 
station. 

DeKalb,  DeKalb  County,  Illinois,  was  named  in  honor  of  Baron  DeKalb,  one 
of  the  Revolutionary  heroes. 

Delaughery,  Menominee  County,  Michigan,  was  named  for  P.  Delaughery,  who 
had  kilns  and  made  much  charcoal  here  for  use  in  the  iron  furnaces  of  the 
Upper  Peninsula  of  Michigan. 

Delmar,  Clinton  County,  Iowa.  This  name  was  made  by  using  the  initials  of 
certain  six  women  who  accompanied  an  excursion  train  that  opened  the 
railroad  from  Clinton,  Iowa,  to  this  point.  For  a  similar  case  see  LeMars, 
in  the  alphabetical  list  in  this  book  of  the  towns  traversed  by  the  Chicago, 
St.  Paul,  Minneapolis  and  Omaha  road. 

Deloit,  Crawford  County,  Iowa,  was  platted  by  the  Western  Town  Lot  Com- 
pany, in  1899,  and  was  named  Beloit  from  the  city  in  Wisconsin.  As  another 
location  had  adopted  this  name,  it  was  changed  by  using  the  initial  "D" 
in  the  place  of  "B,"  and  thus  the  present  name  was  made. 

Dempster,  Hamlin  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  for  William  Dempster,  of 
Chicago,  one  of  the  original  owners  of  the  town  site.  It  was  platted  by  the 
Winona  and  St.  Peter  Railroad  Company  in  1884. 

Dempster  Street,  Cook  County,  Illinois,  is  merely  a  station  within  the  city  of 
Evanston.  The  station  was  named  from  the  street  it  is  on.  The  street  was 
named  for  Dr.  John  Dempster,  first  president  of  Garrett  Biblical  institute. 

Denison,  Crawford  County,  Iowa,  was  named  by  the  Rev.  J.  W.  Denison,  a 
Baptist  preacher  who  organized  the  Providence  Western  Land  Company, 
and  who  platted  this  town  in  1856,  and  named  it  for  himself. 

Denmark,  Brown  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  in  honor  of  the  European 
home  of  the  many  Danes  who  are  settled  in  this  vicinity. 

DePere,  Brown  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  the  name  of  "the  rapids" 
in  the  Fox  River  at  this  place.  The  river  was  named  in  memory  of  the 
murder  of  French  missionaries  by  the  Indians,  viz.:  Rapides  des  Peres — 
"The  Rapids  of  the  Fathers."  The  town  was  at  first  called  West  DePere; 
but  in  1890  the  present  form  was  adopted. 


64 History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 

DeSmet,  Kingsbury  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  in  honor  of  Father  Peter 
John  DeSmet,  S.  J.,  "The  Apostle  of  the  Indians."    He  was  a  Belgian  and 
spent  his  life  in  civilizing,  Christianizing  and  educating  the  Indians  of  the 
Upper  Missouri  Eiver  valley  and  in  the  Rocky  mountains.     The  town  was 
platted  by  the  Western  Town  Lot  Company  in  1880. 
Des  Moines,  Polk  County,  Iowa,  was  named  from  a  fort  that  was   here  in  an 
early  day  and  that  was  named  from  the  river,  which  was  named  from  the 
Indian  word  Mi-Jcon-ang,  meaning  "road."     The  French  spoke  the  word  as 
if  it  were  spelled  Moingona.     The  French  also  called  the  river  Des  Moins, 
of  the  "small  river,"  to  distinguish  it  from  the  Mississippi  or  "   the  great 
river."   Finally  the  name  became  associated  with  the  Trappist  monks  and 
the  river  by  a  spurious  etymology  was  called  'la  riviere  des  moines" — "the 
river  of  the  monks."    The  town  was  first  platted  by  A.  D.  Jones  and  called 
Fort  Des  Moines.     In  1857  it  was  made  the  capital  of  the  state  and  given 
its  present  official  name. 
Des  Plaines,   Cook  County,  Illinois.     This  place  was   named  from   the   nearby 
river.    The  river  was  named  Au  Plaine  by  the  early  French  traders  and  trap- 
pers,   thereby    intending    to    show    it    was    a    river    of    the    "plains"    or 
"prairie,"  rather  than  of  the  mountains.     The  lower  part  of  the  river  was 
used  by   Marquette,   Joliet   and   other   missionaries    and   explorers   and   is 
mentioned  by  them  in  their  "Relations"  and  reports.     In  some  of  these 
reports  it  is  called  ' '  Des  Pleine ' '  or  the   river  from  the  plain  or  prairie. 
Ultimately  the  name  came  to  be  spelled  as  is  now  done,  Des  Plaines,  and 
that   has   caused   some  writers   to   assert   that   the  name   came   from   trees 
called  "plaine"  by  the  French.     No  such  tree  ever  grew  along  this  river, 
so  it  is  very  unlikely  the  name  of  that  tree  was  thought  about  when  the 
river  was  first  named  by  white  men.     The  tree  referred  to  is  doubtless  the 
"Plane"  of  Europe.     The  "Plane  tree"  we  have  here  is  the  Buttonwood 
or  Buttonball  (Platanus  occidentalis),  and  does  not  grow  on  the  river,  or 
did  it  ever  grow   there   as  far  as  can  be  learned.     The  French  name   of 
the  "Plane  tree"  is  spelled  "plaine"  or  "platanus"  and  never  "pleine," 
as  they  spelled  the  name  of  the  river.    The  word  ' '  Platanus ' '  is  Greek  and 
came  down  to  the  French  and  to  us  through  the  Latin.     It  means  flat. 

Devil's  Lake,  Sauk  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  the  lake  which  was 
named  by  Peter  Folsom,  an  early  explorer  and  surveyor,  in  1842,  because  it 
was  set  in  a  deep  basis  that  he  thought  had  neither  inlet  nor  outlet,  and 
that  resembled  the  crator  of  a  volcano.  The  whole  surroundings  being  so 
wierd  and  unusual  he  determined  to  give  it  a  name  that  would  be  as 
unearthly  as  the  place  appeared  to  be. 

DeWitt,  Clinton  County,  Iowa,  was  named  in  honor  of  DeWitt  Clinton,  the  cele- 
brated Governor  of  New  York  state — its  first  name  was  Vandenburg. 

Diffin,  Alger  County,  Michigan.  This  name  was  selected  from  a  postoffice 
directory,  and  n0  history  of  it  can  be  found.  It  was  adopted  because  there 
was  none  other  like  it  in  the  state  and  because  it  would  be  easy  to  telegraph. 

Dike,  Grundy  County,  Iowa,  was  incorporated  in  1900,  and  named  by  and  for 
C.  T.  Dyke,  who  had  large  landed  interests  here. 

Dillmans,  Milwaukee  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  a  nearby  farmer. 

Dishno,  Marquette  County,  Michigan,  is  a  transliteration  of  the  name  of  Pierre 
Dishman,  for  whom  it  was  named.  He  was  a  pioneer  Frenchman  of  this 
locality. 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line  65 


Diorite,  Marquette  County,  Michigan,  was  named  for  the  crystalline,  Plutonic 
rock  named  Diorite  (commonly  known  as  green  stone),  which  is  very  abund- 
ant here  and  lies  next  to  the  iron  ore. 

Dixon,  Lee  County,  .Illinois,  was  named  from  a  ferry  in  Rock  River.  This  was 
named  by  and  for  John  Dixon,  an  early,  honored  and  noted  settler  in  the 
valley  of  Rock  River. 

Dodge,  Dodge  County,  Nebraska,  was  platted  by  the  Pioneer  Town  Site  Com- 
pany in  18S6,  and  was  named  for  George  A.  Dodge,  an  early  settler  here. 

Dodge  Center,  Dodge  County,  Minnesota,  was  named  by  D.  C.  Fairbank  ou 
account  of  its  location  being  at  the  supposed  center  of  Dodge  County.  The 
county  was  named  for  Gen.  Henry  Dodge,  governor  of  Wisconsin  Territory. 

Dodgeville,  Iowa  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  Gen.  Henry  Dodge,  an 
early  and  much  respected  settler,  and  governor  of  the  Territory  of  "Wiscon- 
sin. In  a  very  early  day  this  place  was  called  "  Minersville"  because  of  the 
lead  mines  nearby.    The  name  was  changed  to  honor  Gen.  Dodge. 

Doland,  Spink  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  for  F.  H.  Doland,  of  Chicago, 
111.,  who  once  owned  the  ground  where  the  station  is  located.  It  was 
platted  by  the  Western  Town  Lot  Company  in  1882. 

Dolliver,  Emmett  County,  Iowa,  was  named  for  Hon.  J.  P.  Dolliver,  a  prominent 
lawyer  and  politician  of  Northern  Iowa.  The  town  was  platted  by  the 
Western  Town  Lot  Company  in  1899. 

Dotson,  Brown  County,  Minnesota,  was  laid  out  under  the  name  of  Bedford 
from  the  town  in  Middlesex  County,  Mass.,  by  the  Western  Town  Lot 
Company  in  1899.  The  railroad  station  is  called  Dotson  and  the  postoffice 
Bedford. 

Doty,  Olmsted  County,  Minnesota,  was  named  by  G.  W.  Van  Dusen  of  Rochester, 
Minn.,  the  owner  of  the  farm  on  which  the  station  is  located,  for  ex-Gov. 
Doty  of  Wisconsin. 

Dougherty,  Cerro  Gordo  County,  Iowa,  was  named  for  a  nearby  farmer. 

Douglas,  Convery  County,  Wyoming,  was  platted  by  the  Pioneer  Town  Site 
Company  in  1886  and  was  named  for  Senator  Stephen  A.  Douglas,  of 
Illinois. 

Douglass.  Olmsted  County,  Minnesota,  was  named  for  Harrison  Douglass,  who 
owned  the  original  town  site.  Before  this  name  was  adopted,  the  village 
postoffice  was  called  Center  Grove. 

Dousman,  Waukesha  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  by  Andrew  E.  Elmore  for 
Col.  John  Dousman,  an  early  and  influential  citizen  of  Wisconsin. 

Dover.  Olmsted  County,  Minnesota.  The  first  name  was  Dover  Center,  as  the 
location  was  supposed  to  be  at  the  center  of  Dover  Township.  The  "Cen- 
ter" was  dropped  by  general  consent  of  the  early  settlers,  and  the  abbre- 
viated name  became  its  fixed  name. 

Dow  City,  Crawford  County,  Iowa,  was  named  for  Judge  S.  E.  Dow,  a  promi- 
nent citizen  of  the  county,  who  once  owned  the  land  on  which  the  town 
site  was  platted.  At  first  the  town  was  called  "Dowville,"  but  afterwards 
was  changed  to  its  present  form. 

Drexel,  Langlade  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  A.  J.  Drexel,  the  noted 
banker  of  Philadelphia. 

Dryads,  Menominee  County,  Michigan.  The  name  was  selected  from  a  work 
on  ancient  mythology. 


66  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 

Dudley,  Lyon  County,  Minnesota,  was  platted  by  the  Western  Town  Lot  Com- 
pany in  1902,  and  was  named  from  Dudley  in  Massachusetts,  which  was 
named  for  two  brothers,  Paul  and  William  Dudley,  who  were  among  the  first 
proprietors. 

Duck  Creek,  Brown  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  a  nearby  creek.  That 
was  named  by  the  early  trappers,  because  of  the  great  numbers  of  ducks 
that  nested  on  its  banks  every  spring. 

Dundas,  Calumet  County,  Wisconsin.  The  place  was  named  by  the  Jones  broth- 
ers, from  Dundas  Island,  on  the  east  coast  of  Africa,  that  had  been  visited 
by  one  of  them. 

Dundee,  Kane  County,  Illinois,  was  named  in  1857  by  a  Scotchman  from  Dundee 
in  Scotland. 

Dunham,  Gogebic  County,  Michigan,  was  named  for  the  manager,  John  Dunham, 
of  the  Ashland  Iron  and  Steel  Company,  that  owned  large  tracts  of  land 
in  this  vicinity. 

Dunlap.  Harrison  County,  Iowa,  was  named  in  honor  of  George  L.  Dunlap,  then 
a  prominent  railroad  manager  of  Illinois  and  Wisconsin.  The  town  wa9 
platted  in  1867. 

Dumont,  Butler  Count)',  Iowa,  was  named  for  John  M.  Dumont,  a  well  known 
mine  owner  of  Colorado. 

Dwight,  Butler  County,  Nebraska,  was  platted  by  the  Pioneer  Town  Site  Com- 
pany in  1887,  and  was  named  by  Henry  Glover  from  Dwight,  111.,  whence  he 
had  emigrated.  (That  place  was  named  for  Henry  A.  Dwight,  Junior,  a 
benefactor  of  the  town.)     Earlier  it  was  called  "Lone  Star"  from  Texas. 

Eagle  Grove.  Wright  County,  Iowa,  was  so  named  because  of  the  finding  in 
an  early  day  of  the  nests  of  many  eagles  in  the  grove  in  which  the  town 
was  located.  It  was  platted  as  Eagle  Grove  Junction  by  the  Western 
Town  Lot  Company  in  1881.  The  station  name  was  changed  by  the  elimi- 
nation of  the  word  "Junction." 

Eagle  Lake,  Blue  Earth  County,  Minnesota,  was  named  by  the  railroad  company 
from  a  nearby  lake,  and  that  was  named  on  account  of  the  early  land 
surveyors  finding  the  nests  of  many  "Bald-headed"  eagles  around  the  lake. 
Its  earliest  name  was  Speir  and  was  named  for  Speir  in  Germany  by  J. 
Beirlis,  an  emigrant  therefrom. 

Eagle  River,  Vilas  County,  Wisconsin,  was  platted  by  the  Milwaukee,  Lake 
Shore  and  Western  Kailway  in  1885,  and  was  named  from  the  nearby 
river;  the  river  was  named  from  a  lake  that  the  river  ran  from,  and  that 
was  named  from  the  many  bald-headed  eagles  that  lived  around  the  lake. 

Earlville,  LaSalle  County,  Illinois,  was  named  by  C.  H.  Sutphen,  the  original 
owner  of  the  town  site,  from  Earlville,  N.  Y.,  which  was  named  for  Jonas 
Earl,  a  canal  commissioner  of  the  state.  At  one  time  the  Illinois  place  was 
called  "Earl,"  but  it  is  claimed  that  that  never  was  its  corporate  or  lawful 
cognomen. 

Early,  Sac  County,  Iowa,  was  named  for  Judge  D.  C.  Early,  an  early  settler  and 
prominent  citizen  of  Sac  City,  Iowa. 

East  Elgin,  Kane  County,  Illinois,  was  named  because  of  its  relative  situation 
as  to  Elgin — which  see. 

East  Pierre,  Hughes  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  by  town  lot  speculators, 
because  of  its  situation  as  to  Pierre — which  see. 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line  67 

East  Rockford,  Winnebago  County,  Illinois.  Tbis  is  the  part  of  the  city  of 
Rockford  on  the  east  side  of  Rock  River.  For  derivation  of  name,  etc., 
etc.,  see  Rockford. 

Edgar,  Marathon  County,  Wisconsin,  was  platted  by  the  Milwaukee,  Lake  Shore 
and  Western  Railway  in  1891,  and  was  named  for  William  Edgar,  who  was 
interested  in  lands  in  the  vicinity,  and  owned  a  sawmill  near  Wausau,  Wis- 
consin. 

Edison  Park,  Cook  County,  Illinois,  was  once  called  Canfield  and  was  named  for 
an  early  settler.  It  was  afterwards  called  Roseneath,  a  fanciful  manufac- 
tured name,  that  was  supposed  to  assert  the  place  was  buried  in  roses.  The 
present  name  was  given  it  in  honor  of  Thomas  A.  Edison,  the  electrician. 

Eden.  Fond  du  Lac  County,  Wisconsin.  A  popular  legend  has  it  that  it  was 
named  with  reference  to  the  Garden  of  Eden,  because  of  the  beauty  and 
fertility  of  the  country  surrounding  the  station  and  village.  The  fact  seems 
to  be  that  it  was  named  for  Johu  Eden,  an  early  settler. 

Edmund,  Iowa  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  Edmund  Baker,  the  original 
owner  of  the  land  on  which  the  station  and  village  lie. 

Eland  Junction,  Shawano  County,  Wisconsin.  Was  platted  by  the  Milwaukee, 
Lake  Shore  and  Western  Railroad  Company  in  1888.  It  was  named  for  ' '  the 
Eland,"  a  variety  of  Antelope  discovered  by  David  Livingston  in  Central 
Africa.  The  place  was  named  by  E.  H.  Rummely,  an  officer  of  the  railroad 
that  platted  the  village. 

Elba,  Oconto  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  the  Island  in  the  Mediter- 
ranean. 

Elberon,  Tama  County,  Iowa,  was  named  from  the  suburb  Elberon,  near  Long 
Branch,  N.  J. 

The  name  of  the  New  Jersey  place  is  an  elision  on  the  name  of  L.  B.  Brown 
who  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  place.  The  word  was  manufactured 
for  this  place  and  is  not  Indian  as  is  generally  asserted   and  believed. 

Elburn,  Kane  County,  Illinois.  The  original  name  was  Kane,  and  was  named 
for  Gen.  Thomas  L.  Kane,  of  Pennsylvania.  The  name  was  then  changed 
to  Blackberry,  on  account  of  the  great  growth  of  that  fruit  in  the  vicinity, 
and  held  that  name  for  many  years.  Elburn  was  finally  selected  by  the  citi- 
zens as  the  name  of  the  village,  and  then  the  railroad  company  changed 
the  name  of  the  station  to  correspond  with  that  of  the  village.  The  name 
Elburn  was  manufactured  for  the  place. 

Elcho,  Langlade  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  by  B.  F.  Door,  the  pioneer  sur- 
veyor in  this  vicinity,  from  a  place  in  Scotland  that  is  pronounced  as  this 
town's  name  is  spelled. 

Elderon,  Marathon  County,  Wisconsin.  This  is  a  name  made  from  "Elder" 
(Sambucus  Canadensis)  added  to  the  letters  "on."  This  name  was  con- 
structed and  used  here,  because  much  elder  grew  nearby  when  the  place 
was  named. 

Eldorado,  Clay  County,  Nebraska,  was  named  from  the  county  in  California 
in  which  gold  was  discovered.  The  name  is  from  the  Spanish  meaning 
"the  gilded." 

Eldorado,  Fond  du  Lac  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  by  John  O.  Henning 
from  the  county  in  California,  in  which  in  an  early  day  he  had  dug  gold. 
The  word  is  from  the  Spanish  and  means  "the  gilded."     The  town  was 


68  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 

platted  under  the  name  of  Eldon  by  the  Pioneer  Town  Site  Company  in 
1888,  but  the  postoffice  department  in  Washington  objected  to  the  name, 
and  it  was  changed  to  its  present  form. 

Eldora,  Hardin  County,  Iowa,  was  laid  out  and  named  in  1851  and  was  made 
the  county  seat  in  1853.  The  name  came  from  the  Spanish  meaning  "the 
gilded."  It  was  named  by  Mrs.  Lois  B.  Edgington,  who  found  the  name 
in  a  book. 

Eldora  Junction,  Hardin  County,  Iowa,  was  named  by  Judge  W.  S.  Porter 
on  account  of  its  location  being  near  his  home  in  Eldora,  Iowa. 

Eddy,  Lake  County,  Illinois,  was  named  in  memory  of  Charles  G.  Eddy,  for 
years  an  officer  of  the  railroad. 

Eleanor,  Butler  County,  Iowa,  was  named  by  T.  J.  Hanlon  for  Mrs.  Eleanor 
McDonald.     The  postoffice  is  named  Oplington. 

Elgin,  Kane  County,  Illinois,  was  named  by  James  T.  Gifford,  the  original 
owner  of  the  town  site,  from  the  old  hymn  tune  "Elgin." 

Elgin,  Wabasha  County,  Minnesota,  was  named  from  the  place  in  Scotland. 

Elgin,  Antelope  County,  Nebraska,  was  laid  out  by  the  Pioneer  Town  Site  Com- 
pany in  1887,  and  named  from  a  nearby  postoffice  which  was  named  from 
Elgin,  Illinois. 

Eli,  Cherry  County,  Nebraska,  was  named  for  Daniel  Webster  Hitchcock  whose 
nickname  was  "Get  there,  Eli,"  who  worked  for  the  locating  engineer  of 
the  road.  When  the  town  was  permanently  named  the  last  part  of  the 
nickname  alone  was  used. 

Elkton,  Brookings  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  from  Elkton,  Md.,  the 
early  home  of  one  of  the  officers  of  the  Chicago  and  North  Western  Rail- 
way.   It  was  platted  by  the  Western  Town  Lot  Company  in  1880. 

Ellsworth,  Hamilton  County,  Iowa,  was  named  to  honor  the  memory  of  Col. 
Elmer  E.  Ellsworth  of  the  Chicago  Zouaves,  who  was  murdered  in  Virginia 
in  the  early  days  of  the  War  of  the  Rebellion.  The  town  was  platted  by  the 
Western  Town  Lot  Company  in  1880. 

Elmhurst,  DuPage  County,  Illinois.  The  original  name  was  Cottage  Hill.  In 
1870  the  name  was,  on  the  suggestion  of  Thomas  B.  Bryan,  changed  to  Elm- 
hurst from  the  word  Elm  and  the  German  hoorst,  meaning  a  ' '  place  or  grove 
of  Elm  trees." 

Elmhurst,  Langlade  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  Elmhurst,  DuPage 
County,  Illinois. 

Elmo,  Grant  County,  Wisconsin.  The  original  name  was  Junction.  It  was 
changed  to  Elmo  by  M.  Y.  Johnson  from  the  novel,  St.  Elmo. 

Elmore,  Faribault  County,  Minnesota.  The  place  was  named  by  Marvin  Hughitt 
in  honor  of  Andrew  E.  Elmore,  "The  Sage  of  Mucwanago, "  an  old  settler 
of  Waukesha  and  Brown  counties,  Wis.  Mr.  Elmore  was  one  of  "the 
makers  of  Wisconsin"  and  influential  in  the  state  conventions  and  legis- 
latures for  many  years  and  until  his  death  in  1906. 

Elm  Creek,  Fall  River  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  from  the  nearby  CTeek, 
That  was  named  from  the  Elm  trees  that  bordered  it  in  an  early  day. 

Elmwood,  Pierce  County,  Wisconsin.  This  name  was  suggested  by  the  Elm 
(Ulnus  Amcricaria)  trees  that  abound  here. 

Elrod,  Clark  County,  South  Dakota.  The  original  name  was  Ida,  but  that  became 
obsolete  and  Elrod  was  adopted.  It  was  named  by  L.  Kinzey  for  S.  H. 
Elrod,  a  friend  of  the  owner  of  the  original  town  site. 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line  69 

Elroy,  Juneau  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  "Ell  Roy"  by  J.  M.  Britnall  in 
1858,  to  distinguish  it  from  "LeRoy,"  a  village  in  the  vicinity.  When  the 
railroad  reached  this  place  the  present  name  was  adopted  as  an  elision  of 
its  original  cognomen.  It  is  believed  Mr.  Britnall  adopted  the  name  from 
some  place  in  Scotland,  as  he  always  claimed  the  name  was  Scotch. 

Elva,  DeKalb  County,  Illinois,  was  named  for  a  daughter  of  Joseph  P.  Gliddin, 
the  original  owner  of  the  land  now  occupied  by  the  station  and  village. 

Embarrass,  Waupaca  County,  Wisconsin.  The  name  is  French  and  was  attached 
to  a  nearby  stream.  The  word  means  "obstructed"  and  was  applied  to  the 
river  because  it  was  found  full  of  logs  that  obstructed  canoe  navigation. 
The  name  was  applied  to  the  town  from  the  river. 

Emmett,  Holt  County,  Nebraska.  This  place  was  named  for  Robert  Emmet,  the 
Irish  patriot. 

Escanaba,  Delta  County,  Michigan.  The  town  was  named  from  the  river  that 
runs  through  the  place.  The  name  comes  from  the  Anglicization  of  the 
original  Ojibiway  Indian  name  So-schon-hic,  which  means  "flat  rock"  and 
was  given  to  the  river  by  the  Indians  because  the  bed  was  of  flat  limestone 
rock.  Originally  the  present  name  was  spelled  Ecnanawba,  but  for  euphony, 
Perry  H.  Smith,  while  vice  president  of  the  Chicago  and  North  Western 
Railway,  on  the  suggestion  of  Peter  White  of  Marquette,  proposed  the 
elision  of  the  "w. "  The  suggestion  was  adopted  by  the  early  settlers 
there,  and  the  improved  spelling  has  become  established.  At  a  very  early 
day  the  first  cluster  of  houses  that  were  built  here,  took  the  name  of  Sand 
Point,  but  that  was  never  the  corporate  name  of  the  place. 

Esmond,  Kingsbury  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  by  John  E.  Blunt,  one  of 
the  railroad  civil  engineers,  from  Thackeray's  novel  of  this  title.  The 
town  was  platted  by  the  Western  Town  Lot  Company  in  1883.  It  once 
carried  the  name  of  "Sana,"  a  Biblical  name  given  it  by  E.  F.  Froude, 
when  the  first  postoffice  was  established  here. 

Essig,  Brown  County,  Minnesota,  was  named  by  C.  C.  Wheeler,  then  an  officer 
of  the  Chicago  and  North  Western  Railway,  to  honor  one  of  the  Brothers 
Essig,  who  erected  the  first  business  building  in  the  place. 

Estelline,  Hamlin  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  for  the  daughter  of  D.  J. 
Spalding  of  Black  River  Falls,  Wis.,  the  owner  of  the  adjoining  farm.  It 
was  platted  by  the  Western  Town  Lot  Company  in  1882.  * 

Evan,  Brown  County,  Minnesota,  was  named  by  the  first  postmaster  for  his  wife 
Eva.  Its  earlier  name  was  Harmon,  which  it  was  given  for  an  early  settler 
of  the  vicinity. 

Evanston,  Cook  County,  Illinois.  This  town  was  named  by  and  for  Dr.  John 
Evans.  Previous  to  1855  there  was  a  postoffice  here  that  was  called  Gross 
Point  and  Ridgeville,  the  last  from  the  fact  that  it  was  located  on  a  ridge  or 
elevation  of  land  that  was  nearly  surrounded  with  what  then  were  "  swamps. " 
This  city  is  the  home  of  Northwestern  University.  The  charter  for  the  univer- 
sity was  granted  by  the  legislature  of  Illinois  and  approved  by  the  governor  on 
Jan.  28,  1851.  This  proceeding  grew  out  of  a  meeting  that  was  held  in 
Chicago  on  May  31,  1850,  at  which  meeting  were  present,  Dr.  John  Evans, 
A.  J.  Brown,  Rev.  R,  H.  Blanchard,  J.  K.  Botsford,  Henry  W.  Clark,  Grant 
Goodrich,  Rev.  Zadoc  Hall,  Rev.  Richard  Haney  and  Orrington  Lunt.  A 
committee  consisting  of  Dr.  John  Evans,  A.  J.  Brown,  E.  G.  Meet, 
A.   S.    Sherman    and   Grant    Goodrich,    was   appointed   to   draft   a    charter 


70  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 

for  a  university,  to  be  established  in  or  near  Chicago,  under  the  pat- 
ronage of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  Several  sites  were  of- 
fered for  the  location  of  the  university.  By  a  happy  accident,  Orringtou 
Lunt  "discovered"  the  land  on  which  the  university  is  located,  and  he  and 
Dr.  Evans  on  Aug.  11,  1853,  bought  the  land,  380  acres,  from  its  then  owner, 
Dr.  A.  F.  Foster  of  Chicago,  for  $25,000,  or  about  $71  per  acre.  The  first 
permanent  building,  University  Hall,  was  finished  ready  for  occupancy 
in  1869. 

Evansville,  Rock  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  by  the  citizens  for  Dr.  Calvin 
Evans,  an  early  and  much  beloved  physician  of  the  neighborhood. 

Ewing,  Holt  County,  Nebraska,  was  platted  by  the  Pioneer  Town  Site  Com- 
pany in  1882,  and  was  named  for  "Uncle"  Jimmy  Ewing,  the  first  man  who 
settled  in  the  upper  part  of  the  Elkhorn  Valley,  and  whose  farm  was  near 
this  site. 

Exeter,  Fillmore  County,  Nebraska,  was  named  from  Exeter,  New  Hampshire, 
and  that  was  named  from  Exeter  in  England. 

Eyota,  Olmsted  County,  Minnesota,  was  named  by  Milo  Matteson,  from  the 
township,  and  this  was  named  from  the  Sioux  Indian  word  iyotah  or  iyotan, 
meaning  "greatest"  "most." 

Fairburn,  Custer  County,  South  Dakota.  Was  platted  by  the  Pioneer  Town  Site 
Company  in  1886.  This  is  a  composition  name  made  up  of  the  affix  "fair" 
and  the  Scotch  "burn"  (a  brook  or  creek)  and  was  used  because  this  was 
an  attractive  location  on  a  small  and  unnamed  creek. 

Fairfax,  Linn  County,  Iowa,  was  originally  called  Vanderbilt  for  Jacob  Vander- 
bilt  an  early  settler.  The  present  name  came  from  Fairfax  County  in  Vir- 
ginia, and  that  from  Lord  Fairfax,  the  grandson  of  Lord  Culpeper,  a  great 
and  early  land  owner  in  Virginia. 

Fairfax,  Gregory  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  by  Mrs.  Isabella  B.  Turney 
of  the  Turney  familiy  who  owned  much  land  in  the  vicinity,  from  Fairfax 
Court  House,  Virginia.  That  town  was  named  for  Lord  Fairfax,  the  grand- 
son of  Lord  Culpeper,  a  large  land  owner  in  the  early  days  of  Virginia. 

Fairmont,  Martin  County,  Minnesota,  was  named  from  its  situation  on  a  hill. 

Farnhamville,  Calhoun  County,  Iowa,  was  originally  called  Farnham  for  E.  E. 
Farnham,  one  of  the  civil  engineers  who  built  the  railroad  through  this 
place.  The  postoffice  department  in  1881  insisted  upon  having  the  name 
changed,  and  the  present  one  was  selected.  The  town  was  platted  under 
the  name  of  Farnham  by  the  Western  Town  Lot  Company  in  1881. 

Faulkton,  Faulk  County,  South  Dakota,  was  platted  by  the  Western  Town  Lot 
Company  in  1886,  and  was  named  for  Andrew  J.  Faulk,  the  third  governor 
of  the  Territory  of  Dakota. 

Faunus,  Menominee  County,  Michigan.  This  name  was  taken  from  ancient  my- 
thology. 

Fellows,  Rock  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  a  nearby  land  owner. 

Fennimore,  Grant  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  Fennimore  Center  from  the 
township  with  "Center"  added  thereto.  The  township  was  named  for  M. 
Fennimore,  an  early  settler.  In  1881  the  word  "Center"  was  dropped  from 
the  name  of  village  and  station. 

Fenwood,  Marathon  County,  Wisconsin,  was  platted  by  the  Milwaukee,  Lake 
Shore  and  Western  Railway  in  1891,  and  was  so  named  because  a  great  num- 
ber of  trees  and  shrubbery  (a  wood)  grew  in  a  nearby  "fen"  or  "marsh." 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line  71 


Fenton,  Kossuth  County,  Iowa,  was  platted  by  the  Western  Town  Lot  Company 
in  1899  and  was  named  for  ex-Governor  and  U.  S.  Senator  R.  E.  Fenton, 
of  New  York. 

Ferney,  Brown  County,  South  Dakota,  was  platted  by  the  Western  Town  Lot 
Company  in  1886  and  was  named  for  W.  H.  Ferney,  one  of  the  surveyors 
who  laid  out  the  town. 

Fisher,  Converse  County,  Wyoming,  was  named  for  F.  H.  Fisher,  the  owner  of 
the  X.  H.  Cattle  ranch  that  was  nearby. 

Fetterman.  Converse  County,  Wyoming,  was  named  from  Fort  Fetterman,  which 
was  near  this  location.  The  fort  was  named  by  the  United  States 
for  Lieut.  Col.  W.  J.  Fetterman,  who  was  killed  by  the  Indians  in  De- 
cember, 1866,  at  Fort  Phil.  Kearney  in  Wyoming. 

Flagg,  Ogle  County,  Illinois,  was  named  from  the  township,  and  that  was  named 
for  Richard  P.  Flagg,  one  of  the  first  settlers. 

Florence,  Florence  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  by  Col.  H.  D.  Fisher,  or 
the  owners  of  the  town  site  for  Mrs.  Florence  Hulst,  the  wife  of  Dr.  N.  P. 
Hulst  of  Milwaukee,  Wis. 

Flat  Rock,  Delta  County,  Michigan.  This  is  a  transliteration  of  the  Indian  word, 
Escanaba. 

Flickville,  Clay  County,  Nebraska,  was  named  for  a  nearby  old  settler. 

Fond  du  Lac,  Fond  du  Lac  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  the  landing  on  the 
lake,  and  that  was  named  by  the  French  trappers,  traders  and  explorers  be- 
cause it  was  at  the  "end  of  the  lake"  (Winnebago). 

Footville.  Rock  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  and  by  Ezra  A.  Foot,  who 
owned  the  town  site  and  who  was  one  of  the  earliest  settlers  in  the  vi- 
cinity. In  an  early  day  the  town  was  called  "Bachelor's  Grove"  for  the 
family  of  that  name  who  were  the  first  settlers  in  the  grove. 

Ford  River,  Delta  County,  Michigan,  was  named  from  the  river,  and  that  was 
named  for  Thomas  Ford,  governor  of  Illinois,  1842-46,  who  had  explored  a 
portion  of  the  Upper  Peninsula  of  Michigan,  and  had  mentioned  it  in  his 
history  of  Illinois. 

Fosterville,  Vilas  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  John  M.  Foster,  president 
and  general  manager  of  the  Vilas  Lumber  Company  located  here.  Mr.  Foster 
resides  at  Granville,  Mich. 

Fort  Pierre,  Stanley  County,  South  Dakota.  There  is  much  confusion  in  the  at- 
tainable records  as  to  the  exact  location  of  the  forts  that  were  built  on  the 
west  side  of  the  Missouri  River,  and  that  in  the  end  came  to  be  known  a3 
Fort  Pierre.  None  of  them  were  established  by  the  United  States  and  hence 
the  United  States  army  records  do  not  give  their  full  history.  The  follow- 
ing seems  to  be  the  facts  in  the  case: 

"A  fort  was  built  by  Joseph  La  Framboise,  an  Indian  trader  in  1817 
*  *  *  at  the  mouth  of  Teton  River."  Another  fort  was  built  by  one 
of  the  fur  companies  in  1828,  some  say  below  the  mouth  of  Teton  River. 
Maximillion  the  Prince  of  Weid,  who  was  here  in  1832,  says  "it  was  just 
about  the  mouth."  Both  these  forts  were  abandoned  and  the  first  real 
Fort  Pierre  was  erected  higher  up  the  river.  This  was  built  by  the  Ameri- 
can Fur  Company  in  1831-2  and  is  known  to  have  been  three  miles  above  the 
mouth  of  the  Teton  River.  (This  stream  was  called  Bad  River  and  Little 
•Missouri  River  as  well  as  Teton  River.  On  some  of  the  maps  it  now  ap- 
pears as   Walc-pa-shic-Tca   (which  is  Sioux  Indian  for  a  bad  river),  and  on 


72  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 

others  as  Bad  river.)  This  fort  was  christened  in  June  1832,  for  Pierre 
Choteau,  Jr.,  of  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  who  was  on  a  visit  to  the  fort  when  it  was 
named.  Gen.  Harney  with  a  force  of  1,200  men  wintered  at  this  fort  in 
the  winter  of  1855-6.  The  fort  was  abandoned  and  dismantled  by  the  fur 
company  in  1857.  In  1857  a  fur  trader  built  another  Fort  Pierre  three 
miles  above  the  old  one.  Another  new  Fort  Pierre,  a  fur  company's  trading 
post  was  built  in  1859  two  miles  above  the  original  Fort  Pierre.  It  was 
abandoned  in  1863  at  the  time  of  the  Sioux  Indian  outbreak.  A  Fort  Co- 
lumbia was  built  by  the  Columbia  Fur  Company  in  1822  on  the  west  bank 
of  the  Missouri  Eiver  (not  the  east  bank,  as  some  writers  have  claimed)  a 
short  distance  below  the  first  Fort  Pierre  (this  must  not  be  confounded  with 
the  Forts  Teton).  The  Fort  Pierre  of  the  American  Fur  Company  was 
the  most  considerable  station  of  that  company  on  the  Missouri  River. 
When  Maximillion  visited  it  in  1832-1,  it  was  surrounded  by  Sioux  Indians 
mostly  of  the  Teton  band,  but  with  them  were  also  some  of  the  Yankton 
band,  as  both  bands  with  others,  traded  at  this  post.  Maximillion  gives  a 
lengthy  account  and  a  picture  of  the  fort,  and  made  a  long  stay  there, 
studying  the  Indians  and  tne  flora  and  fauna  of  the  country  around  the  fort. 
At  no  point  on  the  Missouri  Eiver,  saving  possibly  the  mouth  of  the  Yel- 
lowstone Eiver,  was  there  clustered  as  much  of  the  work  of  the  fur  trader 
and  the  life  of  his  Indian  allies  as  about  Fort  Pierre.  We  have  the  dim  his- 
tory of  many  "forts"  and  "posts"  besides  those  we  have  named  that  were 
established  around  this  point:  Fort  Tecurnseh,  Sublette's  Fort,  Campbell's 
Fort,  the  Fort  of  Papin  and  of  Cerro,  were  all  about  the  mouth  of  the 
Teton  Eiver  and  on  the  west  bank  of  the  Missouri  Eiver.  On  the  east  bank 
were  Fort  Aux  Cedres  or  Loiselles'  Post,  Fort  Lookout,  Fort  Kiawa,  Fort 
Eecovery  or  Cedar  Fort,  Fort  George  and  Fort  Defiance  or  Fort  Bois.  These 
forts  or  trading  posts  depended  entirely  on  the  Indians  who  roamed  over 
the  prairies  west  of  the  river  to  and  perhaps  beyond  "The  Black  Hills," 
where  Deadwood  and  other  mining  camps  and  towns  are  now  located.  The 
Indians  came  to  these  trading  posts  in  preference  to  going  to  those  in  the 
valley  of  the  Platte  Eiver,  as  those  were  frequented  by  the  Indians  of  the 
far  southwestern  plains,  who  were  under  Spanish  domination  and  who  had 
no  use  for  the  Indians  of  the  northern  prairies. 

De  Land's  map  of  Fort  Pierre  and  surroundings  when  read  from  the  south 
shows  Fort  George  on  the  west  bank  of  the  Missouri  Eiver  just  below  and 
opposite  the  mouth  of  Medicine  Knoll  Creek,  which  flowed  into  the  Mis- 
souri Eiver  from  the  east,  the  Indians  called  this  creek  pa-hah-wa-kan ; 
then  Teton  Post,  Fort  la  Framboise,  Post  Sublette  and  Campbell,  Fort 
Tecumseh,  "Old"  Fort  Pierre  (one  and  one-half  miles  north  of  the  loca- 
tion of  the  present  city  of  Pierre),  New  Fort  Pierre  (two  miles  north  of  Old 
Fort  Pierre),  Fort  Galpin  (the  trading  post  of  Mr.  Galpin  of  the  American 
Fur  Co.),  a  second  Fort  La  Framboise  (supposed  to  have  been  at  the  point 
where  the  village  of  Fort  Pierre  is  now  located)  and  Fort  Primeau.  On  the 
east  side  of  the  Missouri  Eiver  reading  from  the  south,  the  following  points 
are  shown:  Old  Fort  Sully,  American  Fur  Company's  Fort  and  American 
Fur  Company's  Post.  From  what  is  shown  above  it  is  clear  that  the  name 
Fort  Pierre  referred  quite  as  much  to  the  locality  as  to  the  posts  or  forts 
proper,  and  in  the  loose  language  of  the  day  any  location  within  ten,  fifteen, 
or  even  twenty  miles  of  Fort  Pierre  proper,  was  called  Fort  Pierre.     The 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 


first  Fort  Pierre   in  North   America  was  built  between   1730   and   1740   oa 
Rainy  Lake  on  a  point  of  land  where  the  present  city  of  Rainy  Lake  is  lu- 
cated  in  Northeastern  Minnesota  by  Pierre  la  Verendrye,  a  French  explorer. 
Forest  Junction,   Calumet  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  the   fact,   that 
when  established,  the  town  and  station  were  in  a  dense  forest  at  the  junc- 
tion of  another  railroad. 
Fort  Atkinson,  Jefferson  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  by  Dwight  Foster,  to 
honor  General  Henry  Atkinson,  the  Indian  fighter  of  the  early  days  of  the 
northwest  and  especially  in  the  Black  Hawk  War. 
Tort  Robinson,   Dawes  County,  Nebraska,  was  laid  out  by  Col.   W.  H.  Carter, 
United  States  Army,  and  was  named  for  the  nearby  United  States  military 
post,  which  was  named  by  the  United  States  War  Department  for  Lieut. 
Robinson  of  the  14th  United  States  Infantry,  who  had  been  killed  by  In- 
dians just  before  this  fort  was  established. 
Fort  Howard,  Brown  County,  Wisconsin.     This  village  and  station  were  nam<>d 
from  Fort  Howard,  a  fort  that  in  an  early  day  was  built  here  for  protection 
against  the  Indians.    It  was  named  for  a  United  States  Army  Officer.     This 
place  is  now  a  portion  of  the  city  of  Green  Bay. 
Fort  Sheridan,  Lake  County,  Illinois.     Was  named  from  the  fort  that  is  located 
here;  that  was  named  by  the  United  States  War  Department  in  honor  of 
Gen.  Philip  H.  Sheridan. 
Foster  City,  Dickinson  County,  Michigan,  was  named  "Burnt  Bluffs"  and  then 
changed  to  Foster  City  for  Foster  Brothers,  prominent  lumbermen  at  this 
point. 
Foster,  Pierce  County,  Nebraska,  was  named  for  George  Foster,  long  a  station 

agent  on  the  railroad,  and  who  owned  land  surrounding  this  town. 
Fox  Lake,  Martin  County,  Minnesota,  was  platted  by  the  Western  Town  Lot 
Company  in   1899,  and  was  named  from  the  nearby  lake  which  the  Indians 
called  hosh-a-rac-ah-tah,  "fox." 
Fox  Point,  Milwaukee  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  the  English  word 

equivalent  to  the  Indian  hosh-a-rac-ah-tah,  "a  fox." 
Fox  River,  Kenosha  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  the  river  on  the  banks 
of  which   the   village   is   situated.     The  river  was  named  for  the   English 
word  that  represents  the  Indian  word  hosh-a-rac-ah-tah,  "a  fox." 
Fortieth  Street  (Chicago)  Cook  County,  Illinois.    This  name  merely  indicates  a 
point  that  is  shown  on  the  time  table  of  the  road.     The  name  has  no  his- 
torical significance.    Here  are  located  the  Chicago  shops  of  the  Chicago  and 
North  Western  Railway  and  that  explains  the  location  of  this  station. 
Frankfort,  Spink  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  from  the  place  of  this  name 
(Frankfort-on-the-Main)  in  Germany.    It  was  platted  by  the  Western  Town 
Lot  Company  in  1882,  and  named  by  Foster  and  Fisher,  who  owned  land  in 
the  vicinity. 
Francis  Creek.  Manitowoc  County,  Wisconsin.    This  place  was  named  from  the 
nearby  stream.     The  stream  was  named  for  the  founder  in  A.  D.  1208  of  the 
Franciscan  Order,  St.  Francis  of  Assisi  in  Italy.    His  father,  Signor  Barnar- 
cione,  was  traveling  in  France  when  his  son  was  born.     The  mother  named 
the  child  Giovanni,  but  when  the  father  returned  he  was  not  pleased  with 
the   name   and    gave    him   that    of    Francisca,   whence   comes    the    English 
Francis.    In  French  it  is  Francois. 


74  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 


Franklin  Grove,  Lee  County,  Illinois,  was  named  from  a  nearby  grove  of  trees, 
and  this  was  named  for  James  R.  Franklin,  an  early  settler  in  this  grove. 
At  one  time  the  village  is  said  to  have  been  known  as  Chaplin,  but  no 
records  now  seem  accessible  to  prove  the  story. 

Freeman,  Kane  County,  Illinois,  was  named  for  John  Freeman,  the  original 
owner  of  the  town  site. 

Freeport,  Stephenson  County,  Illinois.  The  earliest  name  of  this  place  was 
Winneshiek.  It  took  the  name  because  it  was  the  home  of  Winneshiek,  an 
Indian  chief.  The  name  means  "five"  or  "plenty  waters."  The  burying 
ground  of  the  tribe  this  chief  belonged  to  is  now  covered  by  the  freight 
station  and  yard  of  the  Chicago  and  North  Western  Railway  in  Freeport. 
When  Winneshiek  and  his  tribe  were  removed  beyond  the  Mississippi 
River,  the  place  name  disappeared.  In  1835,  William  Baker  and  William 
Kirkpatrick  settled  here,  and  in  1837  laid  out  a  town  and  named  it  Freeport. 
Mrs.  William  Baker  suggested  this  name  as  she  said  it  would  truthfully 
depict  to  posterity,  the  unbounded  and  continuous  hospitality  that  wel- 
comed every  "new  comer"  at  the  Baker  home.  The  "welcome"  was 
unstinted  and  was  given  "without  money  and  without  price"  and  con- 
tinued as  long  as  Mr.  Baker  lived. 

Fremont,  Dodge  County,  Nebraska.  The  first  settlement  here,  was  made  in 
1856  when  John  C.  Fremont  the  explorer,  was  ruuning  for  president  of  the 
United  States.  It  was  first  named  "Jessie  Benton  Fremont"  for  the  wife 
of  the  explorer,  who  was  a  daughter  of  Thomas  H.  Benton,  long  time  United 
States  senator  from  Missouri.  In  time  the  name  was  changed  to  its  pres- 
ent form. 

Friday,  Delta  County,  Michigan,  was  named  for  Joseph  Friday,  an  early  settler. 

Frost,  Faribault  County  Minnesota,  was  named  for  Charles  S.  Frost,  an  archi- 
tect of  Chicago. 

Fulton,  Whiteside  County,  Illinois,  was  named  for  Robert  Fulton,  the  inventor 
of  steamboats. 

Fulton  Junction,  Whiteside  County,  Illinois,  was  named  from  its  relation  to  the 
nearby  city  of  Fulton. 

Fumee,  Dickinson  County,  Michigan,  was  named  for  a  nearby  lake.  Its  name 
is  a  corruption  of  Fumay,  a  city  in  France,  and  was  given  the  lake  by  a 
French  explorer  from  that  city. 

Gagen,  Oneida  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  Daniel  Gagen,  a  local  land 
owner  and  the  pioneer  of  the  place. 

Galbraith,  Kossuth  County,  Iowa,  was  named  for  Senator  Galbraith,  a  well 
known  politician  of  Iowa.  When  first  established  the  place  was  called 
Morton  Siding  for  a  nearby  farmer. 

Galena,  Jo  Daviess  County,  Illinois,  was  named  in  1819  by  Samuel  C.  Miner, 
an  early  settler,  from  the  lead  ore  (Galena)  found  in  its  vicinity.  The 
early  French  explorers  called  the  place  de  feve  "the  bean,"  and  they  called 
the  river  it  is  on  la  riviere  de  feve,  because  of  the  immense  quantity  of  wild 
"beans"  found  growing  upon  its  banks.  The  name  of  the  river  has  been 
corrupted  into  fievre  (fever)  which  gave  rise  to  the  impression  that  the  place 
was  unhealthy. 

Galesville,  Trempealeau  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  George  Gale,  the 
original  owner  of  the  town  site. 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The   North   Western  Line  75 


Galloway,  Shawano  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  C.  A.  Galloway  of  the 
Moore-Galloway  Company  of  Fond  du  Lac,  Wis.,  and  a  large  owner  of  land 
near  here. 

Gait,  Whiteside  County,  Illinois,  the  original  name  was  Como,  named  from 
Lake  Como  in  Italy.  The  name  was  changed  to  honor  John  Gait,  the  owner 
of  the  town  site. 

Galva,  Ida  County,  Iowa,  was  named  from  Galva  in  Henry  County,  Illinois, 
whence  many  of  the  farmers  of  the  village  came.  The  name  is  an  Angli- 
cized form  of  the  Swedish  Gelfe  and  was  the  home  name  of  Olaf  Johnson, 
one  of  the  oldest,  if  not  the  oldest,  Swedish  settler  in  Henry  County,  111. 

Garden  Prairie.  Boone  County,  Illinois.     The  first  name  applied  to  this  village 
.    was  Amesville,  for  an  old  settler.    Because  of  the  fertility  of  the  soil  and 
the  beauty  of  its  natural  plants,  it  was  thought  to  resemble  a  garden,  and 
hence  the  early  settlers  gave  it  its  present  name. 

Garvin,  Lyon  County,  Minnesota,  was  first  named  Kent,  for  Father  Kent,  a  mis- 
sionary of  Chicago,  but  its  name  was  changed  to  honor  H.  C.  Garvin,  the 
son  of  one  of  the  oldest  employes  of  the  Chicago  and  North  Western  Bail- 
way.  The  town  was  platted  under  the  name  of  Terry,  for  General  A.  H. 
Terry  of  the  U.  S.  Army,  in  1886  by  the  Winona  and  St.  Peter  Railroad 
Company. 

Garwin,  Tama  County,  Iowa,  was  named  for  Train  Despatcher  Garvin. 

Gary,  Deuel  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  for  H.  B.  Gary  of  Marshall, 
Minnesota,  who  was  an  official  of  the  postoflfice  department  in  the  early 
days  of  this  State.  The  town  was  platted  by  the  Winona  and  St.  Peter 
Railroad  Company  in  1877. 

Geneva,  Kane  County,  Illinois,  was  named  by  James  Herrington,  the  original 
owner  of  the  town  site,  from  the  place  of  this  name  in  New  York  state. 
This  was  done  in  honor  of  C.  B.  Dodson,  who  had  emigrated  from  that 
place  to  Kane  County,  111.,  when  this  village  was  established.  Geneva  in 
New  York  state  was  named  from  Geneva  in  Switzerland. 

Geneva,  Fillmore  County,  Nebraska,  was  named  in  1871  by  Miss  Emma  Me- 
Cauley,  a  daughter  of  Col.  A.  C.  McCauley,  who  owned  the  farm  on  which 
the  county  seat  was  established,  and  named  from  Geneva,  New  York.  That 
place  was  named  from  Geneva  in  Switzerland. 

Genoa  Junction,  Walworth  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  the  fact  that  it 
was  the  junction  of  two  lines  of  railroad.  Before  the  roads  were  built  the 
settlement  was  called  Genoa,  and  was  named  from  the  town  in  New  York 
state.     That  was  named  from  the  city  in  Italy. 

Gentian,  Marquette  County,  Michigan,  was  named  by  W.  B.  Linsley  for  the 
flower,  the  fringed  gentian  (Gentiana  corinata)  that  abounded  there.  The 
place  was  first  named  Harvey  for  T.  W.  Harvey  of  Chicago,  a  pioneer  lum- 
berman. 
Georgia,  Cherry  County,  Nebraska,  was  named  for  George  A.  Frost,  a  stuttering 
carpenter,  who  so  spoke  his  own  name  as  Georgia,  and  as  a  joke,  more  than 
for  any  other  reason,  the  name  was  given  to  and  is  still  held  by  the  town. 
Gettysburg,  Potter  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  from  the  battlefield  in 
Pennsylvania,  because  many  of  the  early  settlers  near  here  had  been  sol- 
diers in  the  fi^ht  on   that   field.     The  town   was   platted  by  the  Western 


7(5  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 

Town  Lot  Company  in  1884.  Northwest  of  Gettysburg  is  Le  Beau,  in  Wal- 
worth County,  South  Dakota.  Jt  was  named  for  Antoine  Le  Beau,  a  half- 
breed  Sac  Indian.  It  is  near  the  Missouri  River,  a  little  above  the  city  cf 
Pierre.  It  has  been  an  historic  spot  for  forty-five  years,  for  it  was  at  that 
point  that  the  Indian  chief  White  Lodge  fled  with  his  capitves  at  the  close 
of  the  Sioux  Indian  war.  On  August  20,  1862,  a  small  settlement  at  Lake 
Shetak,  Murray  County,  Minn.,  was  attacked  by  Sioux  Indians,  when  Whit« 
Lodge,  a  Sisseton  Indian  chief  and  one  hundred  of  his  warriors  were 
the  assassins  when  all  the  adult  white  males  were  killed,  and  the  chil- 
dren and  the  women  were  taken  into  captivity.  White  Lodge,  Little 
Crow,  Sleeping  Eyes,  Pawn  and  Big  Head,  conveyed  the  captives  to  tbe 
Missouri  River,  to  a  point  where  Swan  Creek  empties  into  that  river,  about 
a  mile  and  a  half  from  the  present  site  of  Le  Beau.  A  local  legend  says  that 
shortly  after  their  arrival  on  the  river,  Galpin,  a  trader  of  the  American 
Fur  Company  was  passing  down  the  river,  and  arriving  at  the  camp 
of  White  Lodge,  was  asked  to  come  ashore  and  trade;  but  before  he  could 
land,  Galpin 's  wife  discovered  the  Indians  were  hostile  and  warned  ber 
husband.  When  the  boat  swung  out  into  the  river  again,  a  white  woman 
ran  down  the  shore  and  called  to  the  trappers  that  a  party  of  nine  were 
held  captive  by  the  Indians,  and  implored  them  to  come  to  their  relief. 
When  Mr.  Galpin  reached  Fort  Pierre,  where  he  was  custodian  of  the  pott, 
and  which  was  the  next  landing  below  Le  Beau  on  the  river,  he  told  tbe 
Indians  who  were  there  the  story  of  the  capture  of  the  whites.  Around 
the  fort,  was  a  party  of  eleven  young  Indians,  who  at  once  formed  them- 
selves into  a  rescue  band,  and  resolved  to  go  to  the  relief  of  the  women 
and  children.  This  little  band,  it  is  said,  was  comprised  of  Martin  Charger, 
Kills-and-Comes,  Four  Bear,  Mad  Bear,  Pretty  Bear,  Sitting  Bear,  Swift 
Bird,  One  Rib,  Strikes  Fire,  Red  Dog,  and  Charging  Dog,  all  of  whom 
belonged  to  Two  Kettle  band  of  Tetons,  with  the  exception  of  Charger. 

The  little  band  departed  from  Fort  Pierre  on  Nov.  15,  1862,  and  four 
days  later  reached  the  camp  of  White  Lodge.  They  asked  for  a  council 
with  the  chief. 

Charger  was  appointed  spokesman  for  the  party  and  spoke  in  behalf  of 
the  rescuers.  He  said:  "We  have  come  here  to  buy  the  white  captives  and 
give  them  back  to  their  people.  We  will  give  you  horses  for  them  all;  all 
the  horses  that  we  have."  The  reply  of  White  Lodge  disheartened  the 
young  Indians,  as  the  ultimatum  of  the  chief  seemed  to  sound  the  death 
knell  of  the  white  captives. 

Cliarger  renewed  his  offer  of  the  horses  and  kept  persistently  at  the 
ehieftain,  that  night  and  well  into  the  next  day,  before  the  proposition  was 
finally  accepted,  and  the  boys  were  told  to  bring  their  horses  into  camp. 
They  did  so,  and  the  captives  were  turned  over  to  them.  The  boys  started 
back  to  Fort  Pierre  with  their  party  on  the  evening  of  Nov.  29,  1862,  and 
reached  Fort  Pierre  six  days  afterward,  nearly  frozen  and  almost  starved 
to  death.  The  captives  were  finally  turned  over  to  their  friends  and  tbe 
Indian  rescuers  were  rewarded  by  the  United  States.  The  name  "Le  Beau" 
is  a  corruption  of  the  French  Le  boeuf  (the  buffalo),  a  name  first  applio<) 
to  a  man  who,  from  his  size  and  sluggishment  moved  like  a  buffalo. 

How  much  truth  or  how  much  fiction  there  is  in  this  story  is  very  difP- 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line  77 


cult  to  determine  at  this  time.  It  is  history  however,  that  after  Gen.  Sib- 
ley had  at  Wood  Lake  on  Sept.  25,  1862,  thoroughly  whipped  the  Indian* 
in  a  hard  fought  battle,  they  fled  towards  the  Missouri  River,  and  that  oa 
Dec.  25,  1862,  they  were  on  the  river  above  Fort  Pierre  with  500  to  1,000 
warriors  getting  ready  for  the  destruction  in  the  spring  of  1863  of  all 
the  whites  in  western  Minnesota  and  Dakota  territory.  Little  Crow  was 
the  leader  in  the  war  and  vowed  an  awful  vengeance  against  the  whites 
because  a  lot  of  Mb  followers,  who  had  been  captured  by  Gen.  Sibley,  were 
hanged  before  the  campaign  of  1863  was  inaugurated. 
Gsrltd,  Kossuth  County,  Iowa,  was  named  from  the  first  syllables  of  the  names 
of  the  townships  on  each  side  of  it,  viz.:  "Ger"  from  Germanic,  and  "led" 
from  Ledyard. 
Gihent,  Lyon  County,  Minnesota,  was  named  by  a  Belgian  priest  (who  located  a 
colony  at  this  place),  from  his  native  city  in  Belgium.  This  town  was 
platted  under  the  name  of  Grand  View  by  the  Winona  and  St.  Peter  Bail- 
road  Company  in- 1878* 
Gilford,  Hardin  County,  Iowa,  was  named  for  C.  T.  Gifford,  an  early  settler  wlio 

induced  a  railroad .  company  to  establish  a  station  here. 
Gilbert,  Story  County,  Iowa,  was  named  by  and  for  George  Gilbert,  who  was 

the  original  owner  of  the  town  site. 
Gilberts,  Kane  County,  Illinois,  was  named  by  the  Galena  and  Chicago  Union 
Railroad  for  Amasa  Gilbert,  an  early  settler.    Its  earlier  name  was  Rutland- 
ville,  which  it  was  given  by  E.  P.  Stark,  the  first  supervisor,  from  Rutland, 
Vt.,  whence  he  had  emigrated.     The  Vermont  Rutland  was  named  from 
Rutland  in  Liecestershire,  England. 
Gile,  Iron  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  Gordon  H.  Gile,  of  Oshkosh,  Wis., 
who  was  largely  interested  in  iron  ore  mines  and  mining  in  the  vicinity, 
and  who  was  one  of  the  owners  of  the  Northern  Chief  Iron  Company. 
Gilfillan,  Redwood  County,  Minnesota,  was  named  for  C.  D.  Gilfillan  of  Minne- 
apolis, who  owned  much  land  in  the  vicinity.    The  postoffice  is  Morgan. 
Gillespie,  Macoupin,  County,  Illinois.     This  place  was  named  for  Judge  Joseph 
Gillespie,  a  notel  jurist  of  central  Illinois,  and  who  for  many  years  had  large 
•    political  and  other  influence  in  this  county. 
Girard  Junction,  Macoupin  County,  Illinois,  was  so  named  because  of  its  near- 
ness to  the  city  of  Girard.     That  city  was  named  for  Stephen  Girard  of 
Philadelphia,  Pa.,  at  one  time  the  richest  man  in  the  United  States,  and 
who  gave  his  great  fortune  to  found  and  support  Girard  College,  one  of  th* 
most  beneficent  institutions  in    the  country. 
Gillett,  Oconto  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  R.  Gillett,  one  of  the  first 

settlers  in  the  county. 
Gladbrook,  Tama  County,  Iowa.     This  name  was  made  up  and  applied  to  this 
place  by  a  prominent  officer  of  the   Chicago  and  North  Western  Railway 
Company. 
Glen,  Sioux  County,  Nebraska,  was  so  named  because  descriptive  of  the  vicinity. 
Glenbeulah,  Sheboygan  County,  Wisconsin.    This  name  was  made  by  the  original 
owner  of  the  town  site  by  combining  the  word  "Glen,"  which  describe** 
the  location,  and  "Beulah"  the  given  name  of  the  mother  of  one  of  the 
contractors  who  built  the  railroad  through  the  place.    This  Scriptural  name 
is  supposed  to  mean  "beautiful  land"  or  "land  of  flowers,"  and  well  de- 
scribed this  place  when  it  was  established. 


.78  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 


Glencoe,  Cook  County,  Illinois.  Thig  is  a  manufactured  name  as  used  here,  and 
was  devised  by  W.  S.Gurnee  a  well  known  citizen  of  early  Chicago,  and 
who  as  a  contractor  built  the  railroad  through  this  place.  To  the  word 
"Glen" — which  was  suggested  to  him  by  the  many  glens  that  are  around 
the  village — he  added  "Coe"  which  was  his  wife's  maiden  name. 

Glendale,  Monroe  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  by  James  R.  Lyon,  an  early 
settler,  because  "he  fancied  the  name  when  he  met  with  it  in  his  reading." 

Glen  Ellyn,  DuPage  County,  Illinois.  Its  earliest  name  was  Danby.  In  1876  it 
was  changed  to  Prospect  Park.  The  present  name  has  reference  to  a  nearby 
glen.     To  that  was  added  "for  euphony"  the  last  part  of  the  name. 

Glen  Rock,  Converse  County,  Wyoming.  Was  named  from  the  fur  traders'  and 
trappers'  name  for  a  large  rock  that  had  been  a  sentinel  for  generations  to 
travelers  over  this  part  of  the  country. 

Glidden,  Carroll  County,  Iowa,  was  named  by  the  original  owners  of  the  town 
site  in  honor  of  Capt.  W.  T.  Glidden  of  Salem  and  Boston,  Mass.,  one  of  the 
earliest  and  most  steadfast  friends  of  the  project  of  building  a  railroad 
across  the  state  of  Iowa. 

Goehner,  Seward  County,  Nebraska,  was  platted  by  the  Pioneer  Town  Site 
Company  in  1887,  and  named  for  John  F.  Goehner,  a  member  of  the  Ne- 
braska legislature,  and  a  prominent  merchant  of  Seward,  Neb.,  who  owned 
an  interest  in  the  town  site. 

Gogebic,  Gogebic  County,  Michigan.  The  word  is  Indian — a  contraction  of 
agojebic,  meaning  "rocky"  or  "rocky  shore,"  or  "rocky  divided  lake." 
Another  Indian  word  "goebing"  is  also  used  to  denote  the  same  things. 
Ghi-gwa-ga-bing,  another  Indian  word  meaning  "the  place  of  diving,"  has 
been  given  as  the  origin  of  Gogebic. 

Golden  Reward,  Lawrence  County,  South  Dakoota,  was  named  from  the  "Golden 
Reward  Gold  Mine"  nearby. 

Goldfield,  Wright  County,  Iowa.  The  name  of  this  station  is  an  example  of 
elision  and  substitution.  The  early  settlers  desired  to  honor  one  of  them 
by  naming  the  village  after  him.  His  name  was  Brassfield.  It  was  thought 
that  this  would  not  do  for  the  village,  and  consequently  they  discarded  the 
"Brass"  and  for  it  substituted  "Gold,"  and  Goldfield  resulted. 

Goodwin,  Deuel  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  for  Geo.  P.  Goodwin,  the  first 
land  commissioner  of  the  Chicago  and  North  Western  Railway  Company; 
it  was  platted  by  the  Winona  and  St.  Peter  Railroad  Company  in  1878. 

Goose  Lake,  Clinton  County,  Iowa.  The  original  name  of  this  station  was 
"O'Brien,"  but  owing  to  the  fact  that  there  was  another  place  of  this 
name  in  Iowa  in  1S76  the  name  was  changed  to  Goose  Lake.  This  name 
was  taken  from  a  nearby  lake,  that  was  a  great  resort  for  wild  geese. 
Goose  Lake,  Marquette  County,  Michigan.  This  station  was  named  from  a 
nearby  lake.  The  lake  was  named  from  its  palpable  resemblance  to  a  goose 
in  flight. 
Gordon.  Sheridan  County,  Nebraska,  was  platted  by  the  Pioneer  Town  Site  Com- 
pany in  1S85,  and  was  named  for  John  Gordon  of  Sioux  City,  who  undertook 
to  take  a  train  of  wagons  into  the  Black  Hills,  when  that  country  was  still 
a  part  of  the  Indian  reservation,  and  closed  to  white  settlers.  He  was  over- 
taken at  a  point  four  or  five  miles  from  where  this  station  now  is,  by  a  lieu- 


History  or  the  Place  Names  of  The  North   Western  Link  79 


'  tenant  in  command  of  a  detachment  of  U.  S.  cavalry.  Gordon's  oxen  wera 
turned  loose,  and  wagons  and  freight  piled  in  a  heap  and  burned — for  which, 
the  lieutenant  was  afterwards  dismissed  from  the  service. 

Gowrie,  Webster  County,  Iowa,  was  named  from  a  place  in  Scotland. 

Grayland,  Cook  County,  Illinois,  was  named  for  a  nearby  land  owner,  who  had 
an  interest  in  this  village. 

Grand  Junction,  Green  County,  Iowa.  The  early  citizens  of  this  place  named  it 
from  the  fact  that  here,  two  railroads  formed  a  junction. 

Grant,  Brookings  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  on  the  suggestion  of  an  em- 
ploye, of  the  railroad  that  runs  through  the  place.  The  man's  name  was 
Grant,  but  it  is  contended  the  place  was  not  named  for  him,  but  merely 
that  the  name  was  short  and  convenient  in  telegraphic  work  and  becauso 
there  was  no  other  place  so  named  in  South  Dakota. 

Grand  Mound,  Clinton  County,  Iowa.  This  station  was  intended  to  be  named 
"Sand  Mound,"  from  a  high  sand  mound  three  miles  distant,  but 
when  the  name  was  recorded,  a  mistake  was  made  in  the  spelling  and  the 
village  name  became  ' '  Grand  Mound. ' ' 

Gregory,  Gregory  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  from  the  county,  which 
was  named  for  J.  S.  Gregory,  a  well  known  legislator  of  South  Dakota. 

Grand  Eapids,  Wood  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  the  rapids  (falls)  in 
the  Wisconsin  River  at  this  point.  The  west  side  of  the  city  was  formerly 
called  Centralia,  but  in  1899  the  town  was  consolidated  under  the  present 
name. 

Granville,  Sioux  County,  Iowa,  was  named  for  Sir  Richard  Granville  or  Gren- 
ville,  a  British  navigator.  This  place  was  platted  under  the  name  of 
Grenville,  by  the  Western  Town  Lot  Company  in  1882.  The  station  name 
is  spelled  Granville.  This  confusion  arises  from  the  fact  that  the  way  the 
navigator  spelled  his  name  is  not  known.  He  explored  the  eastern  coast  of 
North  America  in  1585. 

Green  Valley,  Shawano  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  the  valley  in  which 
it  is  situated.  The  valley  was  named  because  of  the  vast  growth  of  ever- 
green trees  that  filled  it  when  it  was  first  visited  by  the  whites. 

Granville,  Milwaukee  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  the  township  and 
that  was  named  by  C.  T.  Everts,  an  early  settler  who  had  formerly  lived  in 
Granville,  Washington  County,  N.  Y.  Granville,  N.  Y.,  was  named  for  John 
Carteret,  Earl  Granville,  a  British  statesman. 

Gray,  Audubon  County,  Iowa,  was  named  for  George  Gray,  who  owned  the  site 
on  which  it  was  located. 

Green  Bay,  Brown  County,  Wisconsin.  The  first  name  of  the  station  for  this 
town  was  Fort  Howard,  and  was  on  the  west  bank  of  Fox  river.  It  was 
named  for  an  early  United  States  army  fort  and  post  called  Fort 
Howard,  which  stood  on  or  adjacent  to  the  station  grounds.  The  historic 
point  on  the  east  bank  of  Fox  River  was  named  Green  Bay  from  the  bay  (of 
Lake  Michigan)  on  which  it  was  founded.  The  bay  opens  at  the  north  into 
the  lake  and  extends  southward  into  Wisconsin.  It  is  about  100  miles  long 
and  ten  to  twenty  miles  wide.  The  Fox  River  of  Wisconsin  enters  the  bay 
at  its  southwest  extremity.  The  bay  was  called  by  the  early  French  "la 
grande  bale,"  (the  large  bay)  which  was  corrupted  into  the  present  name. 
The   French   trappers   and    traders   also   called   the   bay    "laie   de   puants." 


80  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 


Marquette  and  Joliet  visited  thia  point  in  May,  1673,  when  enroute  from 
Mackinac   to  discover  the  Mississippi  River,   and   which  they   reached  on 
June  17,  1673.     From  that  day  on,  the  location  of  the  city  of  Green  Bay 
was  a  meeting  point  for  Indian  and  missionary  and  trader.     When  the  city 
waa  platted,  it  was  believed  by  its  founders  that  it  would  be  the  great  city 
of  the  west.    People  flocked  to  it  from  all  quarters,  and  a  veritable  "boom" 
in  "corner  lots"  followed.    Even  the  far-seeing  and  wise  John  Jacob  Astor 
was  caught  by  the  "boom"  and  invested  much  money  in  the  place.    A  fort 
was  built  by  the  United  States  on  the  west  bank  of  the  river  and  wm 
named   Fort   Howard    (See   Fort    Howard    in    this   book).      Radisson    and 
Grosielliers  found  Winnebago  Indians  on  or  near  the  location  of  thia  city, 
and  say  that  they   were  called  Puants,  or  in  English  Stinkards,  and  that 
the  bay  "was  named  Baie  de  puants  from  these  Stinking  Indians."     Astor 
built  a  hotel  here  and  called  it  The  Astor  House.     The  original  town  of 
Astor  was  platted  by  J.  J.  Astor  but  opposing  plats  were  made  and  their  lo- 
cations were  called  Navarino  from  the  place  in  Greece  and  Elliss  for  one 
of  the  platters.    All  these  were  finally  consolidated  with  Astor 's  town. 
Green  Bay  Junction,  Brown  County,  Wisconsin,  was  so  named  owing  to  the  near- 
ness of  the  city  of  Green  Bay.    It  is  really  a  portion  of  that  city. 
Green  Lake,  Green  Lake  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  the  adjacent  lake. 
The  French  called  it  Lao  Verde,   the  whites  who  settled   around  the  lake 
merely  Anglicized  it.    The  main  village  is  a  mile  from  the  railroad  station 
and  is  called  Dartf ord.    It  was  named  by  and  for  J.  N.  Dart,  an  early  settler 
in  the  county.    Mr.  Dart  also  named  Montello,  the  county  seat  of  Marquette 
County. 
Greenville,  Outagamie  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  by  Anton  Becker,  from 

the  township. 
Gresham,  York  County,  Nebraska,  was  platted  by  the  Pioneer  Town  Site  Com- 
pany in  1887,  and  was  named  by  George  W.  Post  for  Judge  W.  Q.  Gresham, 
once  a  United  States  cabinet  officer  and  judge  of  the  United  States  court. 
Oridley,  Emmet  County,  Iowa,  was  platted  under  the  name  of  Maple  Hill,  be- 
cause of  a  nearby  hill  that  was  crowned  with  a  maple  grove.    It  was  platted 
in  1899  by  the  Western  Town  Lot  Company.    The  station  was  named  Grid- 
ley  by  the  railway  company  for  Gen.  Ashel  Gridley,   a   banker  and  large 
land  owner  of  Bloomington,  111. 
Grimms,  Manitowoc  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  a  prominent  settler  and 

property  owner  nearby. 
Gross  Park,  Cook  County,   Illinois,   was  named  by    and  for  S.  E.  Gross,  the 

original  owner  of  the  town  site. 
Groton,  Brown  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  from  Groton,  Mass.,  which 
was  named  from  a  place  in  England  owned  by  the  family  of  Deane  Win- 
throp,  whose  name  headed  the  petition  that  asked  for  the  grant  of  land 
from  the  Massachusetts  government  to  the  people  who  finally  established 
Groton,  Mass. 
Guckeen,  Faribault,  County,  Minnesota,  was  laid  out  under  the  name  of  Derby 
by  the  Western  Town  Lot  Company  in  1900.    The  present  name  waa  given  to 
the  village  to  honor  an  old  settler  of  the  vicinity. 
Guernsey,  Poweshiek  County,  Iowa,  was  named  by  Moses  F.  Morton,  an  early 
settler  from  Ohio.     It  was  platted  by  the  Western  Town  Lot  Company  in 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line  81 


1884.    Guernsey  County,  Ohio,  from  which  this  town  was  named,  was  named 
by  emigrants  from  the  island  of  Guernsey  that  lies  between  England  and 
France. 
H»dar,  Pierce  County,  Nebraska,  was  platted  by  the  Pioneer  Town  Site  Com 
pany  in  1883.     The  word  is  a  corruption  of  the  German  Hader,  which  means 
a  "misunderstanding  or  wordy  argument,"  and  was  given  the  town  owing 
to  the  settlement  of  a  dispute  between  two  early  settlers.     The  name  was 
intended  to  keep  the  memories  of  this  dispute  constantly  in  mind. 
Hackley,  Vilas  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  C.  H.  Hackley  of  Muskegon, 
Michigan,  who  was  interested  in  the  Phelps,  Bonnell  Lumber  Company's 
mill  that  is  located  here. 
Hahnemann,  Whiteside  County,  Illinois,  was  named  from  the  township  it  is  in, 
and  that  was  named  Hahnaman  for  an  early  settler  and  to  honor  the  mem- 
ory of  Samuel  Hahnemann,  the  great  homeopathic  physician.     The  spelling 
of  the  name  of  the  station  was  changed  for  euphony. 
Halbur,  Carroll  County,  Iowa,  was  named  by  ex-Gov.  O.  H.  Manning  of  Iowa 
for  Anton  Halbur,  the  owner  of  the  farm  adjoining  the  station.     It  was 
laid  out  by  the  Western  Town  Lot  Company  in  1881. 
Haifa,  Emmett  County,  Iowa,  was  laid  out  by  the  Western  Town  Lot  Com- 
pany in  1889,  and  was  named  from  the  Wadi  Haifa  in  Egypt.     The  Egyp- 
tian name  is  also  spelled  Halfai  by  travelers  on  the  Nile. 
Hanford,  Cerro  Gordo  County,  Iowa,  was  named  for  Hanford  McNider  a  son 
of  C.  H.  McNider  the  president  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Mason  City, 
Iowa. 
Hanlontown,  Worth  County,  Iowa,  was  named  for  James  Hanlon  of  Mason  City, 

Iowa,  who  was  the  original  owner  of  the  town  site. 
Hanover,  Kock  County,  Wisconsin.    The  original  name  was  "Bass  Creek."     It 
was  changed  by  John  Higgins,  the  owner  of  the  town  site,  to  honor  many 
of  his  neighbors  who  had  emigrated  from  Hanover,  in  Germany. 
Harcourt,  Webster  County,  Iowa,  was  named  by  an  admirer  of  the  British  states 
man   of   this  name.     It  was  platted  by  the  Western   Town   Lot   Company 
in  1881. 
Hardwood,  Dickinson  County,  Michigan.     The   name  was  taken  from  a  Ion? 
established   postoffice  of  the  vicinity.     That  was  named  because   it  wa* 
located  in  a  dense  hardwood  forest. 
Harlan,  Shelby  County,  Iowa,  was  named  for  United  States  Senator  Harlan  of 

Iowa.    It  was  laid  out  and  made  the  county  seat,  in  April,  1859. 
Harlem,   Winnebago  County,   Illinois,  was  named  from  Harlem,  in  New  York 
State,  for  the  curious  reason  that  that  Harlem  was  six  miles  from  New 
York  City,  and  this  is  six  miles  from  Bockford,  111. 
Harris,  Menominee  County,  Michigan,  was  named  for  M.  B.  Harris,  a  merchant 
and  shipper  of  forest  products,  who  lived  here  when  the  town  was  located. 
Harrison,  Sioux  County,  Nebraska.     The  town  was  first  named  Bowen  for  John 
S.  Bowen  of  Blair,  Neb.,  but  by  vote  of  the  citizens,  the  name  was  changed 
to  Harrison  in  honor  of  Benjamin  Harrison,  president  of  the  United  States. 
Harrison,  Lincoln  County,  Wisconsin.     It  was  originally  called  Mitchell  for  an 
old   settler,   but   the   name   was   changed   to    honor   ex-President   Benjamin 
Harrison. 


82  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 

Harrold,  Hughes  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  for  what  wrongfully  was 
supposed  to  be  the  given  name  of  (H.  E.  McCullough),  an  officer  of  the 
railway  company.  An  error  was  made  in  this,  but  the  name  was  allowed 
to  stand. 

Hartland,  McHenry  County,  Illinois.  The  original  name  was  Kishwaukee,  an 
Indian  word  meaning  "sycamore  tree."  This  name  was  dropped  for  the 
present  one,  which  was  supposed  to  be  more  euphonious.  No  record  is 
attainable  that  gives  the  origin  of  the  present  name. 

Hartleys,  Gogebic  County,  Michigan,  was  named  for  Charles  H.  Hartley,  long 
superintendent  of  the  division  of  the  Chicago  and  North  Western  Railway 
that  runs  through  this  place. 

Hartwick,  Poweshiek  County,  Iowa,  is  a  fanciful  name  and  was  applied  to  this 
place  by  the  railway  company  when  the  station  was  established  here. 

Harvard,  Clay  County,  Nebraska,  was  named  by  the  officers  of  the  first  railroad 
that  reached  this  point  from  the  east,  from  Harvard  University  in  Cam- 
bridge, Mass.  The  university  was  named  for  the  Eev.  John  Harvard,  who 
founded  it. 

Harvard  Junction,  McHenry  County,  Illinois,  was  named  from  Harvard  uni- 
versity by  "Judge"  Ayer,  one  of  the  earliest  settlers  and  noted  as  a  hotel 
keeper  there. 

Hastings,  Adams  County,  Nebraska,  was  named  by  Col.  Harbin  of  Fairbury 
Vt.,  for  Col.  T.  D.  Hastings,  who  was  instrumental  in  getting  the  railroad 
located  through  this  place. 

Hatley,  Marathon  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  by  Matthew  LaBarin  from 
Hatley  in  Quebec,  whence  he  emigrated. 

Havana,  Steele  County,  Minnesota,  was  named  in  1867  by  John  Easton,  at  that 
time  a  member  of  the  legislature  of  Minnesota.  He  named  it  from  the  city 
of  Havana  in  Illinois,  and  that  was  named  from  the  city  in  Cuba. 

Havelock,  Pocahontas  County,  Iowa,  was  named  by  J.  E.  Blunt,  then  chief 
engineer  of  the  railroad,  for  a  British  soldier  who  won  immortality  in 
India.     The  town  was  platted  by  the  Western  Town  Lot  Company  in  1882. 

Hawarden,  Sioux  County,  Iowa,  was  named  from  the  home  of  and  to  honor 
William  E.  Gladstone,  the  British  statesman.  The  town  was  platted  by  the 
Western  Town  Lot  Company  in  1882. 

Hayes,  Cook  County,  Illinois,  was  named  by  and  for  the  original  owner  of  the 
station  grounds. 

Hay  Springs,  Sheridan  County,  Nebraska,  was  located  by  the  Pioneer  Town  Site 
Company  in  1882,  and  was  named  because  in  an  early  day  much  hay  was 
cut  near  here  where  the  soil  was  moistened  by  many  springs;  around  these 
springs  was  an  arid  territory. 

Hazel  Green,  Grant  County,  Wisconsin,  was  so  named  from  the  fact  that  when 
the  town  was  established  the  location  was  covered  with  hazel  (Corylus 
Americana)  bushes. 

Hazel,  Iron  County,  Michigan,  was  suggested  from  the  great  growth  of  the  hazel 
(Corylus  Americana)  nut  shrub  in  the  vicinity.  Before  this  name  was 
adopted  for  this  town  it  was  called  Kinson,  for  an  early  settler  here. 

Hebron,  McHenry  County,  Illinois,  was  named  from  the  township,  and  that 
was  named  by  H.  W.  Mead,  the  original  owner  of  the  town  site,  from  the 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line  83 


church  tune  "Hebron."  The  original  name  given  to  the  station  by  the 
railway  company  was  Mead  for  the  above  named  H.  W.  Mead.  The  tune 
name  came  from  a  place  in  Palestine. 

Heckman,  Lyon  County,  Minnesota,  was  named  for  a  once  well-known  dining 
car  superintendent. 

Hecla,  Brown  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  after  the  volcano  Hecla  of 
Iceland.    The  town  was  platted  by  the  Western  Town  Lot  Company  in  1886. 

Helena,  Marquette  County,  Michigan,  was  named  for  his  wife  by  S.  C.  Baldwin, 
superintendent  of  the  railroad. 

Helenville,  Jefferson  County,  Wisconsin.  The  original  name  was  Bullwinkle. 
the  name  of  the  original  owner  of  the  town  site;  it  was  changed  by  him  to 
honor  Helen,  his  wife. 

Helps,  Menominee  County,  Michigan,  was  named  for  Arthur  Helps,  an  English 
writer. 

Hematite,  Florence  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  the  Hematite  iron  ore 
that  was  plentiful  hereabouts. 

Henderson,  York  County,  Nebraska,  was  located  by  the  Pioneer  Town  Site  Com- 
pany in  1887.  It  was  named  for  Daniel  Henderson,  one  of  the  first  settlers 
in  the  county.  The  township  in  which  the  village  lies  was  also  named  for 
Daniel  Henderson. 

Hendricks,  Lincoln  County,  Minnesota,  was  located  by  the  Western  Town  Lot 
Company  in  1900,  and  was  named  for  the  Indiana  statesman  and  once 
Democratic  candidate  for  the  United  States  vice  presidency. 

Henrietta,  DeKalb  County.  Illinois,  was  named  for  the  wife  of  Washington 
Hesing  of  the  "Staats  Zeitung,"  a  newspaper  of  Chicago,  he  having 
promised  the  citizens  to  give  a  bell  for  the  town  hall  or  for  the  first  church 

when  built. 
Henry,  Codington  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  by  and  for  J.  E.  Henry, 

the  first  settler  in  the  vicinity.     It  was  located  by  the  Western  Town  Lot 

Company  in   1882. 
Herbert,  Boone  County,  Illinois,  was  named,  for  his  son  Herbert  by  Daniel  D. 

Bathrick. 
Hermansville,  Menominee  County,  Michigan,  was  named  for  his  son  Herman 

by  C.  J.  L.  Meyer,  owner  of  the  townsite. 
Hermosa,  Custer  County,  South  Dakota,  is  a  descriptive  name  from  the  Spanish 

word  meaning  "beautiful."     It  was  located  and  named  by  the  Pioneer 

Town  Site  Company  in  1886. 
Herring,  Sac  County,  Iowa,  was  platted  by  the  Western  Town  Lot  Company  in 

1899  under  the  name  of  Weed,  which  in  1901  was  changed  to  the  present 

name  to  honor  an  old  settler  of  the  vicinity. 
Herrick,  Gregory  County,   South  Dakota,  was  named  for  Samuel   Herrick   (a 

nephew  of  ex-Gov.  Hon.  Myron  T.  Herrick,  of  Cleveland,  Ohio),  who  was 

instrumental  in  getting  the  Indian  reservation  opened  to  settlement.     The 

place  was  named  to  honor  him  for  that  work. 
Hetland,  Kingsbury  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  for  John  M.  Hetland 

who  settled  in  this  county  in  1877.     He  was  from  Hetlandin  Norway,  and 

as  is  common,  he  took  for  his  surname  the  name  of  his  native  village. 
Highland  Park,  Lake  County,  Illinois.     Was  named  by  the  Port  Clinton  Land 

Company,  the  proprietors  of  the  original  town  site,  because  of  its  high 

elevation  above  the  lake,  and  because  it  was  located  in  a  natural  park. 


84  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 


Highmore,  Hyde  County,  South  Dakota,  was  so  named  because  it  was  located 
on  the  highest  ground  in  South  Dakota  between  the  Mississippi  and  Missouri 
Rivers. 

High  Eidge,  Cook  County,  Illinois,  was  a  descriptive  name  made  from  the  situa- 
tion of  the  town  site  on  a  high  ridge. 

Highwood,  Lake  County,  Illinois,  was  named  by  Rev.  W.  W.  Evarts,  because  of 
its  elevation  above  the  lake,  and  because  of  the  great  height  of  the  trees 
about    the    location. 

Hiles,  Forest  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  F.  P.  Hiles,  of  Milwaukee, 
Wis.,  and  of  the  Foster-Whitman  Lumber  Company,  who  had  large  lumber 
interests  here  when  the  place  was  established. 

Hillside,  Washington  County,  Nebraska,  was  so  named  because  it  was  descriptive 
of  the  locality;  the  site  being  on  the  top  of  the  grade  where  the  waters 
divide  between  the  Papillion  River  and  the  waters  going  directly  into  the 
Missouri  River. 

Hitchcock,  Beadle  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  for  C.  S.  Hitchcock,  the 
owner  of  the  lands  adjacent  to  the  station.  It  was  located  by  the  Western 
Town  Lot  Company  in  1881.  At  times  the  place  was  called  Clarkville  from 
an  early  settler  named  Clark,  and  Altoona,  from  the  city  in  Pennsylvania. 

Holabird,  Hyde  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  by  Henry  C.  Wicker,  (who, 
when  the  town  was  established,  was  an  officer  of  the  Chicago  and  North 
Western  Railway),  for  his  wife's  family  name.  She  was  Louise  Holabird, 
the  daughter  of  William  S.  Holabird,  once  a  lawyer  of  Winnsted,  Conn.,  and 
lieutenant  governor  of  the  state;  and  afterwards  engaged  in  railroad  build- 
ing in  Indiana  and  other  western  states. 

Holidays,  Fond  du  Lac  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  Benj.  Holliday,  who 
owned  the  land  through  which  the  railroad  ran  at  this  point. 

Holstein,  Ida  County,  Iowa,  was  named  at  the  request  of  many  settlers  nearby, 
who  emigrated  from  Holstein,  in  Germany. 

Honey  Creek,  Pottawatomie  County,  Iowa,  was  named  from  the  creek  near  the 
station;  this  was  named  by  the  early  settlers  thereon,  because  of  the  many 
wild  bees  that  in  an  early  day  were  found  there. 

Hooker,  Turner  County,  South  Dakota,  was  located  by  the  Western  Town  Lot 
Company,  in  1894,  and  was  named  for  John  Hooker,  an  early  settler  who 
lived  here  before  the  town  was  located. 

Hooper,  Dodge  County,  Nebraska,  was  named  for  Hon.  Samuel  Hooper  of  Bos- 
ton, Mass.,  a  banker  and  prominent  member  of  congress  during  the  War  of 
the  Rebellion. 

Hortonville,  Outagamie  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  Alonzo  E.  Horton,  an 
early  settler,  and  the  founder  of  the  present  city  of  San  Diego,  California. 

Hot  Springs,  Fall  River  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  from  the  famous 
springs  at  this  place.  The  Sioux  Indians  who  roamed  around  this  part  of 
Dakota,  used  these  springs  for  their  medicinal  virtues.  They  called  th« 
springs  or  place  minne-ka-tah,  "the  water  that  boils."  The  present  name 
of  the  village  is  a  transliteration  of  the  Indian  name. 

Hudson,  Fremont  County,  Wyoming.  This  place  was  platted  by  the  Pioneer 
Town  Site  Company  and  was  named  "Atla,"  which  is  a  Sioux  Indian  word 
and   means   "swift   water"   or   "swiftly  running  water."      The   company 


History  of  the  Pi.ack  Names  of  The  North  Western*  L/np  85 


finally  changed  the  name  to  Hudson  in   honor  of  .John   T.   Hudson,  an  old 
settler  and  once  the  owner  of  the  land  on  which  the  town  is  now  located. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  Wyoming  legislature  and  a  county  commissioner. 
Houghton,  Brown  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  for  C.  W.  Houghton,  of 
Columbia,  S.   D.,   who   owned   the   land   on  which   this   station   was   est&b 
lished.    It  was  located  by  the  Western  Town  Lot  Company  in  188G. 
Houl.es,  Menominee  County,  Michigan,  was  named  for  A.  lloules,  an  employe  of 

the  railroad  that  runs  through  this  place. 
Houston,  York  County,  Nebraska,  was  located  by  the  Pioneer  Town  Site  Com 
pany  in  1887,  and  was  named  for  Joseph  D.  Houston,  one  of  the  earliest  set- 
tlers in  the  county,  and  who  lived  near  this  town  site. 
Howells,   Colfax    County,    Nebraska,   was   located   by   the    Pioneer   Town    Site 
Company  in  1S86  ,  and  was  named  by  P.  E.  Hall  of  Cedar  Rapids,  Iowa,  for 
J.  S.  Howell,  a  prominent  citizen  of  Colfax  County;  the  letter  "s"  was 
added  for  euphony  by  Mr.  Hall.     Attempts  were  made  to  name  the  town 
Bagnersville  and  Buschville,  but  they  failed. 
Hubbard  Woods,  Cook  County,  Illinois,  was  named  Lakeside  by  David  Gage,  of 
Chicago  fame,  in  1870,  because  of  its  location  on  the  shore  of  Lake  Michi- 
gan.   Before  this  name  was  used  the  place  was  called  Taylorsport,  and  was 
so  named  for  the  Taylor  family,  who  were  its  earliest  settlers.     It  was 
recently  renamed  "Hubbard  Woods"  for  Gurdon  S.  Hubbard,  who  once 
owned  the  location. 
Hubbard,  Hardin  County,  Iowa,  was  named  in  honor  of  Judge  N.  M.  Hubbard, 
the  noted  jurisconsult  of  Cedar  Bapids,  Iowa.     It  was  located  by  the  West- 
ern Town  Lot  Company  in  18S0. 
Hull's  Crossing,  Sheboygan  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  J.  D.  Hull,  the 

owner  of  the  land  on  which  the  station  was  established. 
Humphreys,  Platte  County,  Nebraska,  was  named  for  Gen.  A.  A.  Humphrey,  chief 

engineer  of  the  United  States  Army. 
Hunting,  Shawano  County,  Wisconsin,  was  so  named  because  there  was  much 
game  in  the  vicinity,  that  allowed  successful  "hunting"  hereabouts.     It 
also  happened  that  a  nearby  land  owner  had   this  name,  and  hence  the 
place  had  two  reasons  for  its  name. 
Huntley,  McHenry  County,  Illinois,  was  named  by  John  B.  Turner  for  T.  S. 
Huntley,  an  early  settler  who  owned   the   land   on  which  the  station  was 
established. 
Hughes,  Hardin  County,  Iowa,  was  named  for  H.  M.  Hughes,  superintendent  of 

a  part  of  the  Chicago  and  North  Western  Railway  lines  in  Iowa. 
Hurley,  Turner  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  for  R.  E.  Hurley,  an  accom- 
plished civil  engineer,  who  was  employed  on  the  construction  of  the  railroad 
here.    It  was  located  by  the  Western  Town  Lot  Company  in  1883. 
Hurley,  Iron  County,  Wisconsin,  was  platted  by  the  Milwaukee,  Lake  Shore 
and  Western  Railway  in  1885,  and  was  named  for  Judge  M.  A.  Hurley,  a 
lawyer  of  Wausau,  Wisconsin,  and  a  prominent  iron  ore  operator,  who  with 
Plummer,  Silverthorn  and  Ryan  organized  iron  ore  mining  companies  here. 
Huron,  Beadle  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  for  the  "Huron"  Indians; 
whether  the  word  is  French  or  Indian  is  not  known,  nor  is  it9  real  meaning 
known.     It  however  is  believed  to  be  a  corruption  of  the  French  word  hur« 
that  was  given   to  a  tribe  of  Indians  by   the  French,   the  word  meaning 


BG  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 

"wild  boar,"  and  was  given  these  Indians  on  account  of  their  wild  and 
unkempt  appearance.  The  town  was  located  by  the  Western  Town  Lot 
Company  in  1880. 

Hylas,  Menominee  County,  Michigan.  This  name  was  taken  from  a  dictionary 
of  mythology.  Hyla  is  the  specific  name  of  the  "tree  frog"  or  "tree  toad" 
and  that  also  was  thought  of  when  the  station  was  named. 

Ida  Grove,  Ida  County,  Iowa;  the  grove  was  named  by  Mrs.  J.  H.  Moorehead, 
wife  of  the  first  settler.  The  county  was  named  from  Mount  Ida  in  Greece 
and  was  suggested  by  Eliphalet  Price,  once  a  prominent  politician  of 
Iowa,    The  town  was  officially  named  by  P.  E.  Hall  of  Cedar  Rapids. 

Imogene,  Martin  County,  Minnesota,  was  platted  and  named  Cardona  by  the 
Western  Town  Lot  Company  in  1900.  The  postoffice  was  named  Imogene 
and  the  station  name  ultimately  followed  that.  The  name  Imogene  was 
taken  from  the  name  of  the  heroine  of  a  well  known  poem. 

Indian  Town,  Menominee  County,  Michigan,  was  named  from  an  unnamed  Indian 
settlement  that  existed  here  when  the  railroad  was  built. 

Inez,  Converse  County,  Wyoming,  was  named  for  Inez  Richards,  a  daughter  of 
DeForest  Richards,  afterwards  governor  of  Wyoming,  and  a  prominent 
"cattle  man." 

Ingalls,  Menominee  County,  Michigan,  was  named  by  Louis  Dobear,  for  Judge 
E.  S.  Ingalls  of  Menominee,  Michigan,  who  owned  much  land  in  the  vicinity. 

Inland,  Clay  County,  Nebraska.  The  name  is  merely  fanciful,  and  was  used  as 
it  is  supposed  to  represent  the  locality,  as  being  inland  and  not  on  a  coast. 

Inman,  Holt  County,  Nebraska,  was  located  by  the  Pioneer  Town  Site  Company 
in  1881,  and  was  named  from  Inman 's  Grove,  that  was  nearby.  The  grove 
was  named  by  and  for  William  Inman,  an  early  settler. 

Interior,  Ontonagon  County,  Michigan,  was  named  for  the  Interior  Lumber  Com- 
pany.    That  was  so  named  because  it  was  inland,  and  not  on  the  lake  shore. 

Ipswich,  LaFayette  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  by  C.  C.  Wheeler  and  John 
Patterson,  jointly,  from  Ipswich,  Mass.,  and  Ipswich,  in  England. 

Ireton,  Sioux  County,  Iowa,  was  named  in  honor  of  Gen.  Henry  Ireton,  the  son- 
in-law  of  Oliver  Cromwell  and  one  of  his  great  soldiers.  It  was  located  by 
the  Western  Town  Lot  Company  in  1882. 

Iron  Mountain,  Dickinson  County,  Michigan,  was  named  by  Joseph  Fleishiem  for 
a  nearby  "mountain"  of  iron  ore. 

Iron  River,  Iron  County,  Michigan,  wag  named  from  the  river,  and  that  was 
named  because  of  the  outcropping  of  iron  ore  on  its  banks. 

Ironwood,  Gogebic  County,  Michigan,  was  platted  by  the  Milwaukee,  Lake  Shore 
and  Western  Railway  in  1885.  The  name  was  built  up  from  "iron"  and 
"wood,"  the  only  two  products  that  were  abundant  here  when  the  town 
was  started. 

Iroquois,  Kingsbury  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  from  the  French  name 
of  the  Indian  Confederacy  of  the  six  Nations.  The  word  is  said  to 
be  from  hiro,  "I  have  said,"  and  Jcoue  a  vocable  that  expresses  joy 
or  sorrow,  according  to  the  rapidity  with  which  it  is  pronounced.  It 
was  located  by  the  Western   Town  Lot  Company  in   1880. 

Iowa  Falls,  Hardin  County,  Iowa.  This  place  was  named  from  the  nearby 
falls  in  the  Iowa  River. 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line  87 

Irvine,   Converse   County,   Wyoming,   was  named  for  "Billy"  Irvine,   a  prom 
inent  "cattle  man"   of   Wyoming,   who   owned   a  large   cattle   ranch   near 
this   place   when   the   town   site   was   named. 

Irving,  Benton  County,  Iowa,  was  named  by  Levi  Marsh  in  1854,  for  Wash- 
ington   Irving,   the   American    author. 

Irving  Park,  Cook  County,  Illinois,  was  named  for  Washington  Irving.  At 
one  time  it  was  called  Irvington,  but  later  it  was  changed  to  its  present 
form. 

Irvington,  Kossuth  County,  Iowa,  was  named  from  the  township  by  J.  R. 
Armstrong,  an  old  settler,  and  that  was  named  for  Washington  Irving. 
The  town  was  located  by  the  Western  Town  Lot  Company  in  1881. 

Irvington,  Douglas  County,  Nebraska,  was  named  by  Frank  Hibbard  from 
Irvington,  New  York,  the  home  (Sunnyside)  of  Washington  Irving,  the 
noted  American  writer. 

Irwin,  Shelby  County,  Iowa,  was  named  for  E.  W.  Irwin,  the  original  owner 
of  the  town  site.  It  was  located  by  the  Western  Town  Lot  Company 
in   1S81. 

Irwin,  Cherry  County,  Nebraska,  was  named  for  Bennett  Irwin,  who  was 
once  foreman  on  Newman's  Cattle  Ranch,  and  afterwards  a  prominent 
citizen    and    "cattleman"    of   Cordon,    Nebraska. 

Ishpeming,  Marquette  County,  Michigan,  was  named  by  Captain  G.  S.  John- 
son, one  of  the  original  owners  of  the  town  site  on  the  suggestion  of 
Samuel  P.  Ely  and  Peter  White.  The  word  is  derived  from  an  Indian 
word  meaning  "a  place  high  up"  if  not  "of  Heaven,"  or  its  equivalent. 
E.  M.  Haines  in  his  American  Indian  says  "  the  word  is  Ojibway  for 
Heaven."  The  appropriateness  of  the  name  comes  from  the  fact  that  it 
is  on  the  highest  ground  between  Lake  Superior  and  Lake  Michigan.  From 
the  town  can  be  seen  the  waters  of  Carp  river  flowing  into  Lake  Superior 
and  Escanaba  river  flowing  into  Lake  Michigan. 

Ivanhoe,  Lincoln  County,  Minnesota,  was  named  from  Ivanhoe,  one  of  Sir  Wal- 
ter Scott's  novels.  It  was  located  by  the  Western  Town  Lot  Company  in 
1900.  Before  it  was  given  its  present  name  it  was  called  Wilno,  a  corruption 
of  the  name  of  Wilna,  a  place  in  Russia. 

Ives,  Racine  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  a  business  man  of  the  vicinity. 

Jackson,  Washington  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  President  Andrew 
Jackson. 

Janesville,  Waseca  County,  Minnesota.  The  original  name  was  Empire,  but 
in  an  early  day  J.  W.  Hosmer  platted  an  addition  to  the  original  plat  and 
named  it  Jane  for  Mis.  Jane  Sprague,  and  then  by  general  consent  of  the 
villagers,  the  Jane  was  enlarged  by  adding  to  it  "ville"  and  Janesville 
resulted  and  was  accepted  as  the  name  for  the  whole  village. 

Janesville,  Rock  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  Henry  F.  Janes,  who  set- 
tled here  in  1836.  At  various  times  the  place  was  called  Wisconsin  City 
and  Rockport,  but  the  dispute  was  settled  by  territorial  legislation  in 
favor  of  the  present  name. 

Jefferson.  Greene  County,  Towa.  The  original  name  was  New  Jefferson  for 
Thomas  Jefferson,  president  of  the  LTnited  States,  but  to  prevent  con- 
fusion, the  word  "New"  was  dropped  by  the  general  postoffice  department, 
and  this  practice  was  accepted  and  adopted  by  the  citizens  of  the  village. 


88  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Linl 

Jefferson,  Jefferson  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  by  Perry  H.  Smith,  an 
early  railroad  officer  in  Wisconsin  for  President  Thomas  Jeffaraon  of  Vir- 
ginia. 

Jefferson  Junction,  Jefferson  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  because  of  its 
relative  location  to  the  village   of  Jefferson. 

Jefferson  Park,  Cook  County,  Illinois.  The  earlier  name  of  the  village  was 
"Plank  road,"  and  it  was  so  named  because  the  railroad  here  crossed  one 
of  the  plank  toll  roads,  that  in  an  early  day  was  common  in  the  state. 
The  name  was  changed  to  help  along  real  estate  speculation  in  the  place. 

Jeffris,  Lincoln  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  James  K.  Jeffris,  of  Janes- 
ville,  Wisconsin,  by  David  K.  Jeffris,  the  founder  of  the  place.  Its  post- 
office  is  Bundy,  and  was  named  for  McG.  Bundy  of  Grand  Rapids,  Michi- 
gan, who  had  large  timber  interests  here. 

Jewell  Junction,  Hamilton  County,  Iowa,  was  named  by  and  for  D.  T.  Jewell, 
the  original  owner  of  the  town  site.  It  was  located  by  the  Western  Town 
Lot  Company  in  1880.  The  town  was  formerly  called  "Calahan*'  for  Jam<  s 
Galahan,  a  prominent  banker  and  citizen  of  Des  Moines,  Iowa  And  a  large 
land  owner  in  many  parts  of  that  state. 

Johnson's  Creek,  Jefferson  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  a  nearby  creek. 
The  creek  was  named  for  Timothy  Johnson,  the  first  settler  on  the  creek. 
The  station  was  first  called  Belleville  for  an  old  settler,  but  in  187C  it 
was  found  that  priority  of  settlement  should  be  given  to  Mr.  Johnson,  ami 
hence  the  name  was  changed  to  honor  him. 

Johnstown,  Brown  County,  Nebraska,  was  located  by  the  Pioneer  Town  Site 
Company  in  1883  and  was  named  for  John  Berry,  a  frontiersman  and  half 
owner  of  the  town  site. 

Joice,  Worth  County,  Iowa,  was  named  for  R.  M.  Joice  a  prominent  banker  of 
the  vicinity. 

Jordan,  Boone  County,  Iowa,  was  originally  called  Midway,  from  its  relation 
to  the  towns  on  each  side  of  it.  Its  present  name  is  from  the  River  Jordan 
in  Palestine. 

Judson,  Blue  Earth  County,  Minnesota,  was  located  by  the  Western  Town  Lot 
Company  in  1000,  and  was  named  for  the  oldest  settler  in  the  township. 

Juneau,  Dodge  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  Solomon  Juneau,  the  French 
trader,  who  founded  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin. 

Juneau,  the  commercial  capital  of  Alaska,,  was  located  in  1880  by  Joseph 
Juneau  and  Richard  Harris.  It  was  first  named  Pilzbury  aDd  then  Rock- 
well for  early  settlers  and  then  Harrisburg  for  the  above  named  Richard 
Harris.  In  May,  1882,  the  citizens  of  the  place  changed  the  name  to 
Juneau  to  honor  the  above  named  Joseph  Juneau.  His  body  lies  in  the 
cemetery  of  this  city.  The  children  of  the  place  begged  enough  money  to 
enclose  his  grave  with  an  iron  fence  and  to  erect  a  tablet  to  his  memory. 
This  Joseph  Juneau  was  a  son  of  Solomon  Juneau,  the  founder  of  Mil- 
waukee, Wis.,  for  whom  the  county  and  village  of  Juneau,  Wis.,  were 
named.  Thus  father  and  son  were  founders  of  commercial  cities  more 
than  4,000   miles  apart! 

Kampeska,  Codington  County,  South  Dakota.  Its  first  name  was  Lake  Kamprs- 
ka,  aud  was  named  from  an  adjoining  lake.  That  name  was  dropped  on 
the  suggestion  of  S.  S.  Parke  of  Bloomington,   Ills.,  and   Vera  was  substi- 


History  ok  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line  k*J 


tuted.     This  name  was  from  Vera,  a  town  in  Illinois  (which  was  named 
for  Augusto  Vera  the  Italian  philosopher).     That  whh  ultimately  dropped 
and  the  present  name  substituted.     The   word   Kampeska  is  Sioux  Indian, 
and  means  "bright  and  shining,"  "like  a  shell  or  glass";  Chinaware,  for 
instance,    is    called    ka-mpc-ska    by    the    Sioux    Indians.      The    town     was 
platted  under  the  name  of  Vera,  by  the  Western  Town   Lot  Company   in 
1883.     The  Sioux  River  was  called  by  the  Sioux  Indians  Tchunkas-andata, 
and  at  one  time  by  the  traders  and  trappers  it  was  called  Calumet  river. 
The  Big  Sioux  river,  as  it  is  now  called,  is  the  outlet  of  Lake  Kampeska. 
Kamrar,  Hamilton  County,  Iowa  ,was  named  for  Judge  J.  M.  Kamrar,  a  promi- 
nent lawyer  of  the  vicinity.     It  was  located  by  the  Western  Town  Lot 
Company  in  1881. 
Kasota,  Lesueur  County,  Minnesota,  was  named  by  A.  P.  Buell,  wlio  platted  the 
town  in  1853.     It  was  named  from  an  adjoining  prairie.     The  name  is  an 
Indian  word  meaning  "cleared,"   "cleared   up,"  or  "a   sky   clear  from 
clouds." 
Kasson,  Dodge  County  Minnesota,  was  named  for  J.  H.  Kasson,  owner  of  the 

original  town  site. 
Kaukauna,    Outgamie    County,    Wisconsin.     Kaukana    is    an    Indian    word    and 
in  various  dialects  means,  "portage,"  "long  portage,"  "place  where  pick- 
erel are  caught"  and  "place  of  pike." 
Keeline,   Converse   County,   Wyoming,   was   named  for    George   A.    Keeline   of 
Council  Bluffs,  Iowa,  who  was  largely  interested  in  the  cattle  business  in 
this  vicinity. 
Kelley,  Story  County,  Iowa,  was  named  for  J.  T.  Kelly,  the  original  owner  of 
the  town  site.    It  was  once  and  for  a  short  time  called  Hubbell  for  a  rail- 
road  contractor,  but   on   the   establishment  of  the   station,   the   town   was 
given  its  present  name.     The  present  spelling  of  the  name  was  devised  by 
the  general  postoffice  department. 
Kellner,  Portage  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  Kellnerville,  Manitowoc 
County,   Wisconsin,  which  was  named  for  John  Kellner,   an  early  settler 
there. 
Kelly,  Marathon  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  Nathaniel  Kelly,  prominent 

in  business  in  Wausau,  Wisconsin. 
Kempster,  Langlade  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  Dr.  Kempster  of  the 

Northern  State  Hospital  for  the  Insane. 
Kendalls,    Monroe    County,    Wisconsin,    was    named    by    W.    D.    Medbury,    the 
original  owner  of  the  town  site  for  L.  G.  Kendall,  a  farmer  from  whom  the 
land  for  the  town  site  was  purchased. 
Kenilworth,  Cook  County,  Illinois,  was  named  by  N.  K.  Fairbank,  of  Chicago, 

from  the  place  in  England. 
Kennard,  Washington  County,  Nebraska,  was  named  for  Thomas  P.  Kennard, 

once  Secretary  of  State  for  Nebraska,  and  a  banker  at  Lincoln,  Nebraska, 
Kenosha,  Kenosha  County,  Wisconsin.     This  name  is  Indian  and  means  "fish," 

"pike,"  "pickerel,"  or  "the  place  where  fish  are  plentiful." 
Kesley,  Butler  County,  Iowa,  was  named  for  Kesley  Green  a  prominent  farmer 

of  the  vicinity. 
Kew,  Menominee  County,  Michigan,  was  named  by  W.  B.  Linsley,  a  lover  of 
flowers,  from  the  celebrated  Kew  Botanical  Gardens  near  London,  England. 


*.K)  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 


Kewaskum,  Washington  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  by  Jesse  Meyers  for  an 
Indian  Chief  who  had  his  camp  here  in  1850.  The  word  means  "returning 
track,"  or  "going  on  the  back  track,"  "retracing  his  footsteps." 

Kiester,  Faribault  County,  Minnesota,  was  named  for  Judge  J.  A.  Kiester  of 
Blue  Earth,  Minnesota,  where  he  located  in  1857,  and  was  a  prominent  man 
up  to  his  death  in  1905.  He  was  county  judge,  county  surveyor  and  state 
senator,  and  was  otherwise  prominent  in  that  part  of  the  state. 

Kimball,  Iron  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  ex-Congressman  Kimball  of 
Pine  Eiver,  Waushara  County,  Wisconsin. 

Kimberly,  Outagamie  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  the  Kimberly  Clark 
Company,  paper  manufacturers  here. 

King,  Dickinson  County,  Michigan,  was  named  for  Henry  W.  King,  once,  and 
for  a  long  time  a  prominent  and  respected  merchant  of  Chicago. 

Kingsley,  Plymouth  County,  Iowa,  was  named  for  Henry  W.  Kingsley  who  sold 
the  land  for  the  town  site  to  the  Blair  Town  Lot  and  Land  Company,  that 
laid  out  the  town  site.     The  earliest  settlement  here  was  called  "Quorn. " 

Kingston.  Oconto  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  by  the  Kingston  family  who 
lived  here,  from  Kingston  in  the  Island  of  Jamaica,  "because  a  party 
interested  in  this  village  had  been  much  alarmed  by  the  island  city  which 
he  had  recently  visited." 

Kirkman,  Shelby  County,  Iowa,  was  named  for  M.  M.  Kirkman,  an  officer  of  the 
railroad  company.  It  was  located  by  the  Western  Town  Lot  Com- 
pany in  1880. 

Kirkwood,  Sank  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  by  and  for  N.  C.  and  Timothy 
Kirk,  owners  of  the  land  on  which  the  town  is  located.  They  owned  a 
vineyard  and  made  wine  here.  It  is  believed  they  were  the  first  people  to 
make  grape  wine  in  the  state  of  Wisconsin. 

Kiron,  Crawford  County,  Iowa,  was  located  by  the  Western  Town  Lot  Com- 
pany in  1899,  and  was  named  by  A.  Norelius,  who  had  an  interest  in  the 
place,  from  Kiron  in  Manchuria,  in  China. 

Klevenville,  Dane  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  by  and  for  Iver  Kleven  an 
early  settler.     Originally  the  place  was  named  Pine  Bluff. 

Kloman,  Menominee  County,  Michigan,  was  named  for  Andrew  Kloman  of 
Pittsburg,  Pa.,  the  owner  of  charcoal  kilns  at  this  place  and  an  iron  ore 
operator. 

Koepenick,  Langlade  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  E.  S.  Koepenick,  its 
earliest  settler  and  a  sawmill  owner  and  operator  of  the  vicinity. 

Koshkonong,  Eock  County,  Wisconsin.  The  name  is  an  Indian  word  of  doubt- 
ful meaning,  possibly  having  reference  of  kosh-kosh  "a  hog."  The  name 
of  the  town  came  from  that  of  the  lake;  the  early  settlers  asserted  it  meant 
"the  lake  we  live  on." 

Kranzburg.  Codington  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  in  honor  of  the 
four  brothers  Kranz,  who  were  the  earliest  settlers  here.  It  was  platted 
by  the  Winona  and  St.  Peter  Kailroad  Campany  in  1879. 

La  Crosse,  La  Crosse  County,  Wisconsin.  This  is  a  French  name  that  was  given 
to  the  locality  because  before  its  settlement  by  the  French  it  was  a 
favorite  place  for  ball  playing  by  Indians,  the  game  being  called  by  the 
French,  "la  crosse."  An  unauthenticated  legend  claimed  the  name  came 
from  the  French  La  Croix,  from  a  cross  erected  over  the  grave  of  a 
missionary  murdered  here  by  the  Indians. 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Link  91 

Lac  du  Flambeau,  Vilas  County,  Michigan,  was  named  from  the  lake.  The  lak<i 
was  named  by  the  early  French  traders,  because  the  Indians  around  the 
lake  were  in  the  habit  of  carrying  torches  while  spearing  fish  in  the  lake 
at  night.     The  words  mean  "torch  lake,"  or  "lake  of  the  torch." 

Ladd,  Bureau  County,  Illinois,  was  named  for  Amos  Ladd,  an  early  settler. 

Ladoga,  Alger  County,  Michigan,  was  named  from  the  largest  lake  in  Europe. 

La  Fox,  Kane  County,  Illinois,  was  named  in  1866  from  the  Fox  river.  The 
earliest  name  of  the  town  was  Kane,  which  was  named  from  the  county. 
The  county  was  named  for  Elias  Kent  Kane,  U.  S.  Senator  for  Illinois, 
1824-1835. ' 

Lake  Benton,  Lincoln  County,  Minnesota,  was  named  from  the  lake  on  which 
it  is  located.  The  lake  was  named  by  John  C.  Fremont,  for  his  father-in- 
law,  United  States  Senator  Thomas  H.  Benton  of  Missouri.  The  town 
was  located  by  the  Western  Town  Lot  Company  in  1879.  Fremont  and 
Nicolett  explored  this  territory  and  named  many  of  its  lakes  and  streams 
in  1838-9. 

Lake  Bluff,  Lake  County,  Illinois,  was  named  from  the  Methodist  Campmeeting 
ground  east  of  the  station.  The  camp  ground  was  named  from  the  high 
bluff  shores  of  Lake  Michigan  at  this  place,  and  on  which  the  meetings 
were  held.     The  original  name  of  the  station  was  Rockland. 

Long  Lake,  Forest  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  a  nearby  lake.  That 
was  so  named,  because  it  was  very  long  as  compared  with  its  width  and 
because  it  is  much  longer  than  other  lake  in  the  vicinity. 

Leyden,  Eock  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  the  town  in  the  Netherlands, 
the  refuge  of  the  Pilgrim  Fathers,  before  their  emigration  to  America. 

Lake  City,  Calhoun  County.  Iowa,  was  so  named  from  Lake  Creek  which  flows 
from  the  Twin  Lakes  and  which  nearly  surrounds  the  town  site.  It  was 
laid  out  by  the  Western  Town  Lot  Company  in  1885.  The  creek  was 
named  from  the  fact   that  it  flowed  from  a  lake. 

Lake  Forest,  Lake  County,  Illinois,  was  named  by  W.  H.  Ferry,  because  the 
town  site  was  established  in  a  forest  that  extended  to  Lake  Michigan. 

Lake  Geneva,  Walworth  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  the  lake.  The 
lake  was  named  from  its  alleged  resemblance  to  Lake  Geneva  in  Switzer- 
land. By  the  Indians  it  was  called  muck  stick  or  "  Big  foot's  lake,"  for 
"Bigfoot"  an  Indian  chief.  The  French  called  it  grospied,  being  a  literal 
translation  of  the  Indian  name.  The  Indian  "Big  Foot"  also  gave  his 
name  to  a  large  prairie  near  this  lake. 

Lake  Mills.  Jefferson  County,  Wisconsin.  In  an  early  day,  Joseph  Keyes  built 
mills  on  the  outlet  of  the  lake,  and  when  a  village  grew  around  the  mills, 
the  question  of  a  name  for  the  place  was  discussed.  At  a  public  meeting 
called  to  name  the  village,  Mr.  Keyes  suggested  the  present  name,  when  he 
pointed  to  the  lake  and  to  the  mills  and  said  "Here  is  the  lake  and  there 
are  the  mills"  and  the  suggestion  was  adopted.  Years  afterwards  some 
women  of  the  place  induced  the  people  to  adept  as  the  name  for  the 
village  the  word  Teyranena,  and  that  became  the  name,  but  finally  the 
Legislature  by  an  act,  restored  the  name  to  its  original  and  present  form. 
The  village  is  on  the  shore  of  Rock  Lake,  which  was  the  source  of  power 
for  the  mills. 


92  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 

Lake  Mills,  Winnebago  County,  Iowa,  was  named  by  S.  D.  Wadsworth  and  C.  D. 
Smith,  because  a  mill  had  been  built  here  on  the  edge  of  the  lake,  that  then 
came  up  to  the  mill  site.  At  one  time  the  place  was  called  Slaunsville  and 
that  was  supposed  to  describe  the  originally  swampy  surroundings. 

Lake  Preston,  Kingsbury  County,  South  Dakota.  The  first  name  given  to  the 
Village  was  Preston,  but  it  was  finally  given  its  preseut  form.  It  was 
located  by  the  Western  Town  Lot  Company  in  1881  and  was  named  for 
the  nearby  lake.  The  lake  was  named  by  John  C.  Fremont  and  J.  N.  Nicolett, 
who  discovered  it,  for  United  States  Senator  and  Governor  Preston  of  South 
Carolina. 

Lake  Shore  Junction,  Milwaukee  County,  Wisconsin,  was  so  named  because  it 
was  the  junction  of  two  lines  of  railroad  that  diverged  here,  one  running 
close  along  the  lake  shore,  and  the  other  more  inland. 

Lake  View.  Sac  County,  Iowa,  was  so  named  becouse  from  its  site  a  full  view 
of  Wall  Lake  could  be  had:  it  is  at  the  head  of  this  lake.  The  village  was 
formerly  called  Fletcher  for  an  old  settler. 

Lamberton,  Redwood  County,  Minnesota,  was  named  for  II.  W.  Lamberton,  an 
early  officer  of  the  Winona  and  St.  Peter  Railroad  Company.  He  died  in 
1906. 

Lakewood,  Oconto  County,  Wisconsin,  was  laid  out  by  the  Western  Town  Lot 
Company  in  1897  and  was  so  named  from  an  unnamed  lake  in  the  nearby 
woods. 

Lakonta,  Mahaska  County,  Iowa,  was  platted  by  the  Western  Town  Lot  Com- 
pany in  1900.  The  name  is  an  Iowa  Indian  word  meaning  a  blacksmith. 
The  name  was  suggested  by  Congressman  J.  F.  Lacey  of  Oskaloosa,  Iowa. 

Lake  Elizabeth,  Kenosha  County,  Wisconsin,  one  of  the  celebrated  Southern 
Wisconsin  lakes.  It  was  named  for  Elizabeth  Barrett  Browning,  the  noted 
English  poetess. 

LaMoille,  Marshall  County,  Iowa,  was  named  by  Isaac  B.  Howe,  from  the  L&- 
Moille  River  in  Vermont,  in  honor  of  his  friend  J.  L.  Stevens  who  lived 
on  the  bank  of  this  Vermont  river. 

Lancaster,  Grant  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  the  city  in  Pennsylvania 
by  G.  M.  Pierce  an  earljr  settler,  who  in  1836  moved  here  from  the  Pennsyl- 
vania city. 

Langley,  Bureau  County,  Illinois,  was  named  from  a  village  of  this  name  in 
South  Carolina;  that  place  was  named  from  a  place  (Langley  Parish)  in 
England. 

Laona,  Forest  County,  Wisconsin,  was  platted  by  the  Railway  Company  in  1899. 
The  name  was  intended  for  Leona,  the  given  name  of  a  daughter  of  Norman 
Johnson,  a  local  business  man,  but  in  making  out  the  legal  papers  needed 
under  the  law,  it  was  misspelled,  and  the  present  form  was  used.  - 

Lander,  Fremont  County,  Wyoming.  This  town  was  platted  many  years  ago  and 
was  named  for  General  F.  W.  Lander  of  the  United  States  Army. 

Larch,  Delta  County,  Michigan,  was  named  from  the  American  Larch,  Tamarack, 
(Larix  laricina)  that  abounded  here  when  the  place  was  established. 

Larsen.  Winnebago  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  Philip  Larsen,  who  built 
the  first  store  building  in  the  village. 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line  93 

La    Salle    Junction,  Bureau  County,  Illinois,  was    named  because  it  is  at  the  point 

where  a  junction  is  formed  with  another  railroad  that  runs  to  the  City  <»f 

LaSalle.     LaSalle  was  named  for  Rene  Robert  Cavalier,  Sieur,  de  La  Salle. 

the  French    explorer,   who   probably  was   the  first   white   man    to   see    the 

locality,  as  he  discovered  the  Illinois  river  in  1670. 
Lathrop,  Delta  County,  Michigan,  was  named   for   Azel   Lathrop,   the   original 

owner  of  the  town  site.     It  previously  had  been  called  Centcrville,  beeaun* 

it  was  half  way  between  Escanaba  and  Negaunee. 
Lathrop  Avenue,  Cook  County,  Illinois,  was  named  in  honor  of  Bryon  Lathrop 

who  owned  property  nearby. 
Laurens,  Pocahontas  County,  Iowa,  was  named   for  the  Laurens  mentioned  in 

Motley's   History   of    the   United    Netherlands.      It   was   laid    out   by    tb* 

Western  Town  Lot  Company  in  1882. 
LaValle,  Sauk  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  by  B.  S.  Barney,  J.  F.  Hamlin  or 

early  settlers  from  the  French  for  ' '  the  valley. ' ' 
Lawn  Hill,  Hardin  County,  Iowa,  was  formerly  called  New  Providence.     The 

present   name   is  merely  fanciful.     It   was  platted   by   the  Western   Town 

Lot  Company  in  1880. 
Lawrence,  McHenry  County,  Illinois,  was  named  for  and  by  Lawrence  Bigsby, 

the  original  owner  of  the  town  site. 
Lawton,  Woodbury  County,  Iowa,  was  laid  out  in  1901  by  the  Western  Town 

Lot  Company,  and  was  named  by  J.  C.  Law  from  Lawton,  Michigan,  whence 

he  had  emigrated.     That  place  was  named  for  Nathaniel  Lawton,  an  old 

settler  of  the  vicinity. 
Layton   Park,   Milwaukee   Wisconsin,   was   named    for   a   prominent    citizen   of 

Milwaukee,  Wis.,  who  had  done  much  for  that  city. 
Lead,  Lawrence  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  for  the  ' '  leads  "  or  "  lodes ' ' 

of   mineral  bearing  rock   found   in   the   vicinity.     It  formerly  was   called 

Lead  City,  but  when  it  was  incorporated,  the  "City"  was  dropped  from 

the  title. 
Leaper,  Dickinson   County,   Michigan.     This  place  was   named   for   a   pioneer 

merchant  and  "jobber"  at  this  point. 
Lebanon,  Potter     County,   South   Dakota,      was  plated    1887   by   the     Pioneer 

Town  Site  Company,  and  named  Webb  for  a  prominent  capitalist  of  New 

York  City.    By  his  request  the  name  was  changed  and  named  from  Lebanon 

in  New  York,  that  was  named  from  the  mountains  in  Syria. 
Ledyard,  Kossuth  County,  Iowa,  was  named  by  Professor  Knapp  of  the  low* 

Agricultural  College,  who  was  a  land  owner  at  this  place.     It  was  platted 

by  the  Western  Town  Lot  Company  in  1884. 
Le  Grand,  Marshall  County,  Iowa,  was  named  by  and  for  Le  Grande  Byington 

of  Iowa  City,  who  owned  and  platted  the  town  site. 
Leigh,  Colfax  County,  Nebraska,  was  platted  in  1886,  by  the  Pioneer  Town 

Site  Company,  and  was  named  by  A.  M.  Walling  from  his  wife's  maiden 

name.    He  was  the  first  postmaster  of  the  village. 
Lena,  Goodhue  County,  Minnesota,  was  named  for  the  wife  of  John  Lee.  a  hotel 

keeper  in  an  early  day. 
Lenox,   Oneida  County,   Wisconsin,  was   named  from     Lenox,     Massachusetts. 
That  town  was  named  from  the  family  name  of  the  Duke   of  Richmond. 

who  was  the  English  Secretary  of  State  when  the  town  in  Massachusetts 
was  e°tablished. 


94  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 


Leslie,  LaFayette  County,  Wisconsin.  The  first  name  was  Grand  View,  be- 
cause of  its  sightly  situation.  The  name  was  changed  to  Leslie  for  his 
son,  by  M.  Y.  Johnson,  who  purchased  the  town  site.  For  many  yeara 
the  place  was  called  Belmont,  and  was  so  named  from  three  shapely 
mounds  nearby  that  the  early  French  travelers  called  belles  monies. 
For  some  time  this  place  was  the  territorial  capital. 

Lewiston,  Winona  County,  Minnesota,  was  named  in  1873  for  S.  J.  Lewis  an 
early  settler.  It  was  in  1885  named  New  Boston  by  W.  H.  Dwight,  who 
had  emigrated  from  Boston,  Mass.  It  held  that  name  until  the  present 
name  was  adopted.     Mr.  Dwight  was  its  first  post  master. 

Liberty,  Grant  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  the  township,  and  that 
was  named  from  the  sentiment  of  the  American  people. 

Lime,  Blue  Earth  County,  Minnesota,  was  so  named  because  of  the  abundance 
of  limestone  in  the  vicinity. 

Lime  Kilns.  Ozaukee  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  because  there  were  many 
lime  kilns  for  burning  lime  here  when  the  village  was  located. 

Limestone,  Peoria  County,  Illinois,  was  named  from  the  abundance  of  lime- 
stone in  the  vicinity,  and  from  the  location  of  a  lime  kiln  near  the  town  site. 

Linnberg,  Webster  County,  Iowa,  was  named  from  a  nearby  eminence  (berg) 
on  which  grew  many  "Linden,"  "Linn,"  "Basswood, "  (Tilia  Ameri- 
cana) trees,  when  the  town  was  established. 

Lincoln,  Lancaster  County,  Nebraska,  was  named  for  Abraham  Lincoln  by  the 
legislature  of  Nebraska.  It  was  located  and  named  as  the  site  of  the  state 
capital.  Previous  to  this  action  of  the  legislature  a  village  called  Lan- 
caster, had  been  established  here.  That  village  was  named  for  Lancas- 
ter, Pennsylvania. 

Lindsay,  Platte  County,  Nebraska,  was  platted  by  the  Pioneer  Town  Site  Com- 
pany in  1886,  and  was  named  for  the  man  on  whose  farm  the  town  site  was 
established. 

Lindwerm,  Milwaukee  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  an  early  settler  and 
owner  of  the  land  on  which  the  town  was  platted. 

Linn  Grove,  Buena  Vista  County,  Iowa,  was  named  because  of  its  location 
in  a  grove  of  "Linden"  (Bass  wood)  "Linn,"  (Tilia  Americana)  trees 
that  grew  here  when  the  town  was  located. 

Linwood,  Butler  County,  Nebraska,  was  platted  by  the  Pioneer  Town  Site  Com- 
pany in  1887  and  was  named  from  a  grove  of  "Linn,"  "Linden,"  "Bass- 
wood,"  (Tilia  Americana)  that  had  been  planted  nearby  by  an  early  settler. 

Lisbon,  Linn  County,  Iowa,  was  named  from  Lisbon,  in  Portugal,  by  John  E. 
Kurtz,  the  first  settler  here. 

Little  Chute,  Outagamie  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  the  early  French 
name  for  Fox  River  "Riviere  des  Chutes,"  "River  of  the  Falls."  Their 
name  for  this  specific  place  was  ' '  la  petite  chutes, "  "  The  Little  Falls. ' ' 

Little  Lake,  Marquette  County,  Michigan,  was  named  from  the  lake  nearby. 
It  was  once  called  Forsythe,  for  an  early  settler,  but  thirty-five  years  ago, 
the  name  was  changed  to  Litle  Lake  by  Isaac  Johnson,  who  built  a  saw- 
mill on  the  lake. 

Little  Rapids.  Brown  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  a  post  office  that 
had  been  established  here  long  before  a  railroad  reached  the  place.     The 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line  95 

post  office  was  named  from  the  rapids  in  a  nearby  stream.     The  place  was 

once   called   "Little   Kaukauna, "   Kaukauna   means    "pike,"   "pickerel," 

"portage." 
Little    Saumico,    Oconto    County.    Wisconsin,    was    named    from    the    river.    The 

name    is    from    the    Indian,    O-sa-wa-mick-lcong    "yellow    beaver,"    or    the 

"yellow   widened   place."     The   post   office   was  for  a   time   called   Grosse, 

from  the  Grosse  family  of   the  place,  but  was  finally   made  uniform   with 

the  town  and   railroad   station. 
Livingston,  Grant  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  by  Thomas  Watson,  for  Hugh 

Livingston,  who  owned  the  land  where  the  village  is  located,  and  who  was 

helpful  in  getting   the    railroad  built  through   the    locality. 
Lodi,    Columbia    County,    Wisconsin,    was    named    Lodi    by   .7.    II.    Palmer,    the 

owner  of  the  town  site,  from  the  bridge  or  place  made  celebrated  by  Na- 
poleon's victory. 
Logan,  Harrison  County,  Iowa,  was  named  by  E.  B.  Talcott  for  General  John 

A.  Logan.     The   original  name  was  Boyer  Falls  from  a   nearby  rapids  in 

the  Boyer  River.     The  town  was  laid  out  in  1867. 
Lohrville,  Calhoun   County,  Iowa,  was  named  for  Jacob   A.   Lohr,  the  original 

owner  of  the  town  site.     It  was  platted  by  the  Western  Town  Lot  Company 

in  1867. 
Lombard,  Dupage  County,  Illinois,.     The  original  name  was  Babcock's  Grove, 

and  was  so  named  by  and  for  a  Mr.  Babcock,  the  original   owner  of  the 

town  site.  The  present  name  came  from  Josiah  L.   Lombard,   who  in  1868 

purchased  most  of  the  land  in  this  vicinity. 
London,  Dane   County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  by   early  settlers  from  London, 

England. 
Lone  Rock,  Kossuth  County,  Iowa,  was  platted  in  1899  by  the  Western  Town 

Lot  Company,  and  was  named  from  a  single  (lone)  rock,  found  on  the  town 

site  when  it  was  platted. 
Long  Point,  Tama  County,  Iowa.     The  name  is  a  transliteration  of  the  Indian 

name.     They  so  called  it  on  account  of  a  long  point  of  land  that  projected 

into  the  Iowa  River  near  this  village. 
Long  Pine,  Brown  County,  Nebraska,  was  laid  out  in  1884  by  the  Pioneer  Town 

Site  Company  and  was  named  from  the  nearby  river.     The  river  was  name! 

from  the  pine  trees  that  grew  along  it.     The  main  river  is  known  as  Pine 

Creek,  and  its  two  branches  as  Long  Pine  and  Short  Pine  respectively. 

Loretto,  Boone  County,  Nebraska,  was  named  from  the  city  in  Italy.  It  was 
previously  called  Loran  for  Loran  Clark,  of  Albion,  Nebraska. 

Loretto,  Dickinson  County,  Michigan,  was  laid  out  in  1887,  and  named  from 
the  city  in  Italy. 

Lost  Spring,  Converse  County,  Wyoming,  was  named  from  a  spring  at  the 
head  of  Lost  reek,  which  is  near  the  village.  The  stream  wag  so  named 
because  it  sank  out  of  sight  at  places  and  was  "lost"  to  sight. 

Loveland,  Pottawatomie  County,  Iowa,  was  named  by  and  for  E.  Loveland,  the 

original  settler,  owner  of  the  townsite.  and  locator  of  "  Loveland 's  Mills." 

of  the  early  days  of  Western  Iowa. 
Lowden,   Cedar   County,   Iowa,   is   a  transliteration   of  Louden   of   Loudenvillc, 

Ohio,  and  was  given  by  Thomas  Shearer,  the  owner  of  the  town  site,  who 

had  moved  from  Loudenville,  Ohio. 


tt6  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 

Low  Moor,  Clinton  County,  Iowa,  was  named  from  the  mill  or  place  where  the 
rails  were  made  that  were  laid  through  this  place  when  the  railroad  was 
first  built. 

Luc  Jin  r  Redwood  County,  Minnesota,  was  laid  out  in  1902  by  the  Western  Town 
Lot  Company.  The  name  of  the  post  office  is  Rock.  The  town  derived  it» 
name  from  Lucan  near  Dublin,  Ireland. 

Ludden,  Dickey  County,  North  Dakota,  was  named  by  Ogden  Lovell,  who  owned 
a  farm  near  the  place  for  David  Ludden,  an  early  settler,  who  had  con- 
ferred many  favors  on  Mr.  Lovell  and  the  pioneers  of  the  vicinity,  during 
the  perils  that  surrounded  them  from  Indians  and  the  rigors  of  the  winters. 
It  was  platted  by  the  Western  Town  Lot  Company  in  1886. 

Lu.sk,  Converse  County,  Wyoming,  was  named  for  Frank  S.  Lusk,   the  owner 
of  the  land  on  which  the  town  site  was  located  by  him.     He  was  a  well 
known  ranchman  of  Wyoming  and  subsequently  a  prominent  railroad  con 
tractor. 

Luverne,  Kossuth  County,  Iowa,  was  platted  in  1881,  under  the  name  of  Whit- 
man, for  one  of  the  officers  of  the  Chicago  and  Northwestern  Railway  Com- 
pany, by  the  Western  Town  Lot  Company.  A  portion  of  the  town  was  at 
one  time  called  Vernon,  but  that  was  changed  by  the  legislature  of  th^ 
state.  The  name  Luverne  came  from  Luverne  in  Rock  County,  Minnesota, 
and  that  was  named  for  the  daughter  of  one  of  the  proprietors  of  the  town 
site. 

Luzerne,  Benton  County,  Iowa,  was  named  by  Isaac  B.  Howe,  the  owner  of  th«- 
town  site,  from  the  place  in  Switzerland. 

Lynch,  Boyd  County  Nebraska,  was  named  for  J.  A.  Lynch,  the  oldest  settler 
in  the  place. 

Lyndhttrst,  Shawano  County,  Wisconsin.  This  name  was  made  up  for  this  place. 
It  has  no  specific  meaning 

Lyons,  Clinton  County,  Iowa,  was  named  by  early  French  missionaries  because 
to  them,  of  its  fancied  resemblance  to  the  site  of  Lyons,  in  France.  It  was 
added  to  in  1837  by  Elijah  Buel,  who  previous  had  a  store  near  the  town 
just  below  Lyons  that  was  called  New  York,  and  that  eventually  became 
Clinton.  It  was  at  this  point  that  the  first  projected  trans-Mississippi  rail- 
road bridge  was  to  be  erected.  From  the  west  end  of  that  bridge  all  rail- 
road trains  were  to  depart  for  all  points  west  of  the  river.  The  present 
name  of  the  river  is  a  corruption  of  the  Algonquin  Indian  name  Meche-se- 
be.  Father  Laval,  an  early  missionary  on  the  lower  part  of  the  river,  cor- 
rupted the  name  to  Mich-is-pi;  he  was  followed  by  Father  Labatt,  also  a 
missionary,  who  spelled  it  Mis-is-pi,  he  was  followed  by  Father  Jacques  Mar- 
quette, who  spelled  it  Mis-sis-pi;  others  followed  with  Mis-siss-pi  until  the 
purchase  of  Louisiana  by  the  United  States  in  1803-4  when  the  present 
spelling  was  adopted;  it  has  remained  unchanged  from  that  time  to  this. 
Lytles,  LaCrosse  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  an  early  settler. 
Madison,  Dane  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  by  Gov.  Doty  for  James  Madison, 

ex-president  of  the  United  States. 
Magnolia,  Rock  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  the  township  and  that  was 
named  indirectly  for  Dr.  Pierre  Magnol,  the  noted  botanist,  for  whom  a 
species  of  the  Magnolia  tree  was  named.     The  post  office  is  called  Cainvillf" 
from  the  name  of  a  resident  family. 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line  97 


Malcolm,  Langlade  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  by  and  for  Malcolm  Hutch- 
inson, now  (1907)  living  at  Bryant,  "Wisconsin,  and  who  was  the  first 
settler  in  what  is  now  the  village  of  Malcolm. 

Malone,  Clinton  County,  Iowa,  was  named  from  the  place  in  New  York  state. 
The  first  station  was  called  Eamessa,  but  when  the  buildings  were  burned, 
the  station  was  moved  to  its  present  location  and  the  name  changed  to 
Malone. 

Malone,  Fond  du  Lac  County,  Wisconsin.  The  early  name  was  St.  Johns.  The 
present  name  is  given  in  honor  of  T.  H.  Malone,  an  officer  of  the  first  rail- 
road that  was  built  through  the  place. 

Malta,  DeKalb  County,  Illinois.  The  original  name  was  Aetna,  from  Mount 
Aetna.  The  present  name  was  taken  from  the  Island  in  the  Mediterra- 
nean Sea. 

Malvern,  Oneida  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  the  battle  field  in  Vir 
ginia  that  is  known  as  Malvern  Hill. 

Manchester,  Kingsbury  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  for  a  family  of  early 
settlers.  It  formerly  was  called  Fairview,  because  of  its  outlook.  It  was 
located  by  the  Western  Town  Lot  Company  in  1882. 

Manitowish,  Iron  County,  Wisconsin.  This  name  is  a  corruption  of  the  Chip- 
pewa Indian  word  Man-i-do-wish,  meaning  "evil  spirit,"  and  was  first 
given  the  town  site  from  the  Manitowish  River  on  which  it  is  located. 

Manitowoc,  Manitowoc  County,  Wisconsin.  A  Wisconsin  writer  claims  the 
word  Manitowoc  means  Swarm  of  Spirits,  but  this  undoubtedly  is  fic- 
tion. It  is  an  Indian  word,  meaning  "Spirit  Land."  Its  basis  is  the  Algon- 
quin word  or  term,  we  write  Manitou,  which  is  merely  a  term  of  reverence 
applied  to  any  object,  literally  a  "spirit." 

Manitowoc  Junction,  Brown  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  its  nearness 
and  relation  to  the  city  of  Manitowoc. 

Mankato,  Blue  Earth  County,  Minnesota,  was  named  from  an  Indian  word, 
meaning  "bule,"  or  "blue  earth,"  but  more  properly  it  means  "green 
earth."  It  was  named  by  Mrs.  Hinkley,  an  early  settler  who  spoke  the 
Sioux  language.  The  proper  spelling  of  the  name  was  Mah-ka-to,  and  was 
applied  to  the  river  on  account  of  the  color  of  its  water. 

Mankato  Junction,  Blue  Earth  County,  Minnesota,  was  named  from  its  near- 
ness and  relation  to  the  city  of  Mankato. 

Manilus,  Bureau  County,  Illinois,  was  plated  by  the  railway  company  in  1901, 
and  was  named  from  Manilus,  New  "York,  and  that  was  named  for  the 
Eoman  general. 

Manning,  Carroll  County,  Iowa,  was  named  for  O.  H.  Manning,  once  Lieuten- 
ant Governor  of  Iowa.    It  was  platted  by  the  Western  Town  Lot  Company 
in  1881. 
Mansfield,  Brown  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  by  and  for  John  Mans 
field,  the  original  owner  of  the  town  site. 

Mantorville,  Dodge  County,  Minnesota.     The  first  settlers  in  this  county  wero 
three  brothers,  Peter,  Riley  and  Frank  Mantor;  they  settled  on  this  town 
site  in  1853.    When  the  town  was  platted  it  was  named  for  them. 
Manville,  Converse  County,  Wyoming,  was  named  for  H.  S.  Manville,  the  man 
ager  of   the   Converse    Cattle   Company,   and    afterwards    and    yet    (1907) 
a  prominent  citizen  of  California. 


98  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 

Manyaska,  Martin  County,  Minnesota,  was  platted  by  the  Western  Town  Lot 
Company  in  1899.  The  name  is  Sioux  Indian,  meaning  "silver"  or  "mon- 
ey." Literally  it  means  "white  iron,"  manna,  "iron"  and  ska  "white." 
Some  Indian  scholars  have  claimed  that  the  word  means  "many  lakes." 

Maple  Park,  Kane  County,  Illinois,  was  named  from  a  grove  of  hard  or  sugar 
maple  trees  (Acer  saccharum)  nearby.  Its  original  name  was  Lodi  and  it 
was  named  from  the  Napoleonic  battlefield  or  its  bridge. 

Maple  Ridge,  Delta  County,  Michigan,  was  so  named  because  of  and  from  a 
nearby  elevation  that  was  heavily  covered  by  sugar  or  hard  maple  (Acer 
saccharum)  trees. 

Maple  River  Junction,  Carroll  County,  Iowa,  was  named  from  the  nearby  river. 
The  river  was  named  because  of  the  groves  of  soft  maple  (Acer  saccliari- 
num)  trees  that  lined  its  banks,  when  it  was  first  known  to  the  whites. 

Mapleton,  Monona  County,  Iowa,  was  named  by  W.  H.  Wilsey,  from  a  heavy 
growth  of  soft  maple  (Acer  saccharinum)  trees  growing  on  the  banks  of  the 
nearby  Maple  river.  The  river  took  its  name  from  the  fact  that  it  w»b 
lined  with  soft  maple  (Acer  saccharinum)  trees.  Its  first  name  was  East 
Mapleton. 

Maplewood,  Cook  County,  Illinois,  was  named  because  of  the  great  number  of 
soft  maple  (Acer  saccharinum)  trees,  that  had  been  planted  near  here  by 
the  early  settlers. 

Maquoketa,  Jackson  County,  Iowa,  was  named  from  the  river,  on  the  south 
bank  of  the  south  fork  on  which  it  is  located.  The  word  comes  from  th© 
Iowa  Indian  and  means  "Bear  River."  The  place  was  formerly  called 
Springfield.  This  name  was  given  it  by  J.  E.  Goodenow,  who  in  1838, 
moved  here  from  New  York  State.  The  town  was  laid  out  in  1838  by  J. 
E.  Goodenow  and  named  Springfield  from  the  city  in  Vermont  or  Massachu- 
setts.    The  name  was  changed  to  Maquoketa  in  1844. 

Maribel,  Manitowoc  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  some  nearby  medicinal 
springs.  The  waters  of  these  springs  are  believed  to  be  of  great  value 
in  the  treatment  of  certain  diseases  and  their  worth  seems  to  be  known 
far  beyond  their  location.  The  name  has  no  real  significance,  as  it  was 
manufactured  for  the  springs. 

Marathon,  Buena  Vista  County,  Iowa,  was  named  from  the  battlefield  in  Greece. 

Marengo,  McHenry  County,  Illinois,  was  named  from  the  historic  battlefield  in 
Italy.  Before  this  name  was  given  it,  the  village  was  called  Pleasant 
Grove  from  a  nearby  grove  of  trees. 

Marathon  City,  Marathon  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  the  battlefield 
in  Greece. 

Marenisco,  Gogebic  County,  Michigan.  This  village  was  platted  by  the  Mil- 
waukee, Lake  Shore  and  Western  Railway  Company.  The  name  of  this 
place  was  asserted  by  nearly  every  person  who  was  asked  about  it,  to  be 
Indian,  and  if  not  fully  Indian  as  it  stands,  then  that  it  was  based  on  In- 
dian words,  and  by  elision,  corruption,  transliteration,  translation,  or  in 
some  other  way,  had  been  constructed  from  an  Indian  base.  It  was  as- 
serted to  have  come  from  the  Chippewa  (Ojibway)  Pottawatomie,  Winne- 
bago, Oneida,  Sioux  and  other  tongues,  and  still  no  person  was  able  to  defi- 
nitely locate  it.  The  most  expert  Indian  scholars  were  applied  to,  and 
while  all  were  certain  the  word  came  from  the  Indian,  none  could  place  ite 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western-  Line  99 


parentage.  Not  less  than  one  hundred  letters  were  written  by  the  com- 
piler in  his  endeavor  to  find  its  origin  and  meaning,  if  it  had  any.  At 
the  end  of  this  correspondence,  which  covered  the  entire  northwest  as  well 
as  parts  of  the  east,  and  extended  over  a  year,  not  a  glimmer  of  definite 
information  was  procured.  Every  person  whose  attention  was  called  to 
the  case,  with  great  good  nature  and  courtesy,  endeavored  to  find  and  sup- 
ply the  facts  needed,  but  all  failed,  and  in  the  end  the  problem  was  no 
nearer  solution  than  it  was  when  the  search  began. 

By  bare  accident  the  compiler  learned  that  Emmet  H.  Scott,  of  La 
Porte,  Indiana,  in  an  early  day  had  owned  a  considerable  tract  of  timber 
land  in  the  vicinity  where  this  town  now  stands.  Mr.  Scott  was  written  to, 
and  being  in  Italy,  the  letter  followed  him  there,  whence  came  the  solution 
of  the  mystery! 

As  the  principal  land  owner  of  the  vicinity,  Mr.  Scott  was  asked  to 
name  the  post  office  (when  one  came  to  be  established)  and  while  thinking 
of  a  suitable  name,  he  happened  to  see  his  wife's  name  written  out  in  full — 
Mary  Relief  Niles  Scott.  The  thought  came  to  him  to  manufacture  a  name 
out  of  her  name,  and  thus  honor  her,  and  perhaps,  as  well  mystify  the 
generations  to  come!  He  took  the  letters  "MA"  from  the  Mary,  "RE" 
from  the  Relief;  the  "NI"  from  the  Niles  and  the  "SCO"  from  the  Scott. 
and  putting  them  together  he  had  the  word,  Ma-re-ni-sco,  and  the  name  for 
the  post  office  and  town,  and  the  subject  that  had  caused  such  a  length  of 
search  and  mass  of  correspondence. 

It  is  needless  to  say  the  "mystery"  connected  with  the  origin  and  con- 
struction of  the  name,  has  for  many  years  given  Mr.  Scott  much  amusement 
and  satisfaction. 
Marinette,  Marinette  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  Marinette  Jacobs,  the 
daughter  of  a  semi-civilized  Indian  chief.  The  name  is  a  composite  of  the 
names  Marie  Antoinette. 
Marion,   Waupaca  County,   Wisconsin,   was  named   by  B.   P.   Dorr  for   General 

Francis  Marion  of  the  Revolution. 
Mama,  Faribault  County,  Minnesota.     This  name  is  a  corruption  of  Marne,  the 

name  of  a  province  and  a  river  in  France. 
Marshall,  Lyon  County,  Minnesota,  was  named  by  Colonel  James  H.  Howe,  of 
Kenosha,  Wisconsin,  in  honor  of  W.  R.  Marshall,  governor  of  the  state  1866- 
1870.  It  was  platted  by  the  Winona  and  St.  Peter  Railroad  Company  in 
1872. 
Marshalltown,  Marshall  County,  Iowa,  was  named  by  the  Iowa  Town  Lot  and 
Land  Company,  from  Marshall,  Michigan,  whence  had  come  H.  Anson. 
John  Childs  and  others,  who  in  1853  laid  out  the  town.  The  name  was 
changed  to  its  present  form,  as  there  already  was  a  Marshall  in  Henry 
County,  Iowa. 
Marshfield,  Wood  County,  Wisconsin.  This  place  was  named  by  John  J.  Marsh, 
of  Haverhill,  Massachusetts,  for  his  uncle,  Samuel  Marsh.  The  land  on 
which  the  town  is  located,  was  part  of  the  lands  granted  by  the  United 
States  to  the  Fox  River  Improvement  Company  for  the  purpose  of  estab- 
lishing a  waterway  between  Green  Bay  and  the  Mississippi  River.  Horatio 
Seymour,  Ezra  and  A.  B.  Cornell,  Erastus  Corning  and  William  Allen  But- 
ler,  all    of   New   York    State   and   Samuel    Marsh,   of   Massachusetts.    werr> 


100  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 


among  the  original  owners  of  the  place.     The  legend  that  this  place  wa* 
named  from  Marshfield,  the  home  of  Daniel  Webster,  in  Massachusetts,  in 
a  myth,  propogated  in  very  recent  years.     We  are  indebted  to  the  Hon.  W 
H.  Upham,  ex-governor  of  Wisconsin,  for  the  facts  in  this  case.     The  Gov 
ernor  has  been  nearly  a  life-long  resident  and  one  of  the  most  prominent 
business  men  of  the  place. 

Martland,  Fillmore  County,  Wisconsin.  Was  platted  by  the  Pioneer  Town  Site 
Company  in  1889  and  named  for  Martland  Danielson,  an  early  settler  of  the 
place. 

Mason  City,  Cerro  Gordo  County,  Iowa.  John  B.  Long  in  1851  settled  here  and 
named  his  farm  and  the  grove  in  which  his  home  was  built,  "Masonic 
Grove,"  in  honor  of  the  Freemasons.  He  and  others  laid  out  a  village 
and  called  it  "Shiboleth,"  a  word  well  known  to  Freemasons  and  read- 
ers of  the  Bible.  In  1854  Mr.  Long  bought  out  his  partners  in  the  town 
site,  and  renamed  it  for  his  son,  Mason  Long.  In  1855  the  last  part  of 
the  name  was  dropped  and  "City"  substituted  therefor. 

Mastodon,  Iron  County,  Michigan,  was  named  from  the  Mastodon  iron  mine 
that  was  opened  here.  It  was  named  because  bones  of  an  extinct  mas- 
todon were  found  when  sinking  the  shaft  for  the  mine. 

Maurice,  Sioux  County,  Iowa.  Was  platted  by  the  Western  Town  Lot  Company 
in  1882  and  was  named  for  Count  Maurice  of  Nassau  and  Prince  of  Orange, 
son  of  William,  the  Silent,  count  of  Holland,  Nassau  and  Orange.  Maurice 
succeeded  his  father  and  was  one  of  the  leaders  for  many  years  in  the  war- 
fare with  Spain. 

Mayfair,  Cook  County,  Illinois,  was  named  from  a  novel  in  which  this  name 
is  used  to  represent  a  supposed  portion  of  London,  England,  and  of  the 
people  who  live  in  it.  The  original  name  of  the  town  was  Montrose  and 
was  named  for  the  place  in  Scotland. 

Maywood,  Cook  County,  Illinois,  was  named  by  Colonel  W.  T.  Nichols,  one  of 
the  owners  of  the  original  town  site,  for  his  daughter  "May."  To  this  name 
he  added  "wood,"  because  of  the  forest  (woods)  in  this  locality.  The 
town  was  laid  out  by  the  Proviso  Land  Company.  This  was  one  of  a  very 
few  corporations  that  ever  were  chartered  by  the  State  of  Illinois  to  deal 
in  lands.     The  company  is  still  in  existence. 

McFarlands,  Marquette  County,  Michigan,  was  named  for  A.  McFarland,  a  pio- 
neer farmer  of  the  vicinity. 

Marshland,  Buffalo  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  a  nearby  fertile  field 
that  once  had  been  marshy  land. 

Midland,  Stanley  County,  South  Dakota.  Was  named  from  a  nearby  postoffice, 
and  that  was  so  named  because  it  was  supposed  to  be  about  half  way 
between  the  Missouri  and  the  south  fork  of  the  Cheyenne  Eiver. 

McHenry,  McHenry  County,  Illinois,  was  named  from  the  county,  and  that  was 
named  for  General  William  McHenry,  a  prominent  officer  in  the  Black 
Hawk  war. 

McMillan,  Marathon  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  P..  F.  McMillan,  a 
lumber  man  of  Wisconsin. 

McNaughton,  Oneida  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  a  sawmill  owner  at 
this  point.  It  was  formerly  called  Hazelhurst  from  the  great  growth 
of  hazel  (Corylvs  Aviericana)  growing  here.  Hurst  or  hoorst  is  German 
for  a  "grove." 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line  101 


Meadow  Grove,  Madison  County,  Nebraska,  was  named  from  a  grove  of  cotton- 
wood  (Populus  Canadensis)  that  stood  in  a  meadow  near  the  site  of  the 
town. 

Mechanicsville,  Cedar  County,  Iowa,  was  named  by  John  Onstat  and  D.  H. 
Comstock,  the  original  owners  of  the  town  site,  because  the  first  four  set- 
tlers were  mechanics. 

Medary,  LaCrosse  County,  Wisconsin.  This  place  was  originally  called  Winona 
Junction,  from  the  fact  that  at  this  point  a  junction  was  formed  with  a  rail- 
road that  ran  to  Winona,  Minnesota.  Its  present  name  was  given  in  honor 
of  Samuel  Medary,  once  governor  of  Minnesota  and  of  Kansas,  and  who 
emigrated  to  the  west  from  Columbus,  Ohio. 

Medina,  Outagamie  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  Medina,  Ohio,  and  that 
was  named  from  the  city  in  Arabia. 

Medina  Junction,  Winnebago  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  its  near 
ness  to  and  relation  to  the  village  of  Medina. 

Melrose  Park,  Cook  County,  Illinois,  was  named  from  Melrose  Abbey  in  Scot 
land.  Its  original  name  was  Melrose;  the  addition  of  the  word  "park' 
was  for  the  purpose  of  (supposed)  "euphony." 

Melvin,  Custer  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  by  Charles  Perkins  for  his 
son,  Melvin  Perkins.    Charles  Perkins  was  an  early  settler  here. 

Menasha,  Winnebago  County,  Wisconsin,  is  from  an  Indian  word,  meaning 
"thorn"  or  "island." 

Mondota,  Dane  County,  Wisconsin.  Its  first  name  was  Westport,  but  when  n 
state  hospital  was  located  here,  the  name  was  changed  by  Dr.  A.  McDill 
to  its  present  name.  The  name  is  from  an  Indian  word  meaning,  in  one 
Indian  tongue  "the  junction  of  two  trails,"  and  in  another,  "the  mouth 
of  a  river." 

Menominee,  Menominee  County,  Michigan,  was  named  from  the  Indian  tribe 
"the  rice  eaters,"  and  refers  to  the  wild  rice  that  before  the  white  man 
came  to  Wisconsin,  formed  the  only  vegetable  diet  of  this  tribe. 

Mequon,  Ozaukee  County,  Wisconsin,  is  an  Indian  word,  meaning  "ladle,"  or 
"feather."  It  was  first  used  for  a  river  in  Wisconsin  because  of  a  bend 
in  the  river  resembling  a  paddle,  or  as  some  thought,  a  feather. 

Mercer,  Iron  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  General  Hugh  Mercer  of  the 
Revolution,  by  a  man  of  this  name  who  lived  here  when  the  town  was  estab- 
lished. Thio  has  caused  many  to  think  the  town  was  named  for  the  local 
man. 

Meriden,  Steel  County,  Minnesota,  was  named  by  F.  J.  Stephens,  its  founder, 

from  Meriden,  Connecticut. 
Merrimac,  Sauk  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  the  river  in  New  Hamp 
shire  and  Massachusetts. 

Marriman,  Cherry  County,  Nebraska,  was  named  for  John  Merriman,  a  train 
master  in  charge  of  the  construction  train,  while  the  road  was  being  built 
through  this  locality. 

Metropolitan.  Dickinson  County,  Michigan,  was  named  from  the  iron  ore  min* 
of  that  name  that  was  opened  here.     The  name  was  expressive  of  the  hop* 
of  its  founders  as  to  its  magnitude  and  value. 
Mlchigamme,  Marquette  County,  Michigan.     Is  an  Indian  word,  meaning  "large 
lake"  and  was  adopted  as  the  name  for  the  town  from  the  nearby  lake. 


102  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 


Midway,  LaCrosse  County,  Wisconsin.  J.  B.  Canterbury,  its  founder,  called 
it  Halfway  Creek,  because  it  was  located  on  a  stream  of  that  name.  When 
the  railway  was  built  through  the  village,  for  brevity  it  was  given  its  pres- 
ent name.  At  one  time  it  was  called  Charleston,  for  Charles  Nichols,  who 
once  owned  the  town. 

Middle  Creek  Stock  Yards,  Butte  County,  South  Dakota.  This  name  merely 
indicates  a  point  that  is  shown  on  the  time  table  of  the  road.  The  name 
has  no  historical  significance.  The  place  is  merely  a  point  for  loading  live 
stock. 

Milford,  Brown  County,  Minnesota.  The  first  sawmill  in  this  part  of  the  state 
was  located  here,  and  a  ferry  established  on  the  Minnesota  River  nearby. 
The  township  was  named  Milford  from  these  two  facts,  and  the  name  of  the 
town  naturally  followed. 

Millbrig,  Jo  Daviess  County,  Illinois,  was  named  by  George  Bell,  the  owner 
of  a  saw  mill  built  near  here  in  an  early  day. 

Miller,  Hand  Coonty,  South  Dakota,  was  named  by  and  for  Henry  Miller,  the 
first  settler  in  this  place  and  founder  of  the  town. 

Millerton,  Butler  County,  Nebraska,  was  named  for  William  P.  Miller,  one  of 
the  oldest  setlers  in  this  part  of  the  state,  who  had  a  farm  and  fine  home 
near  this  town  site. 

Milton  Junction,  Bock  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  the  township,  and 
that  was  named  for  John  Milton,  the  poet. 

Milroy,  Bedwood  County,  Minnesota,  was  platted  in  1902  by  the  Western  Town 
Lot  Company  and  was  named  for  Major  General  Robert  H.  Milroy,  a  gal- 
lant Union  soldier  during  the  early  days  of  the  war  of  the  rebellion. 

Milwaukee,  Milwaukee  County,  Wisconsin.  Henry  Gannett  of  the  United  States 
Geological  Survey,  says  it  was  derived  from  the  Indian  word,  Milioke,  mean- 
ing "good  earth,"  or  "good  country."  It  has  been  spelled  in  many  ways 
from  that  of  Bather  Hennepin  'a  Melleoke  of  1679 ;  M eleke  of  a  French  map 
of  1648 ;  Milwarick  of  John  Baisson  de  St.  Cosme  of  1699,  down  to  the  pres- 
ent. The  name  of  the  first  postoffice  established  was  spelled  Melwakee,  and 
that  of  the  second  Milwaukie,  Solomon  Juneau  postmaster  in  both  cases.  The 
name  Milwaukee  is  probably  of  Pottawattamie  origin  and  was  originally 
Mahnah-wauk-seepe,  a  gathering  place  or  council  ground  near  the  river.  Vari- 
ous other  deriviations  have  been  given.  One  is  that  it  sprang  from  the 
name  of  a  medicinal  root  called  Man-wan,  which  grew  nowhere  else,  and 
caused  the  Indians  to  speak  of  man-a-waukee,  or  place  of  the  man-wau.  But 
there  was  no  valuable  medicinal  root  growing  in  the  vicinity  of  Milwaukee 
that  the  settlers  could  not  find  elsewhere.  An  interpreter  for  the  Chippewas 
is  authority  for  the  assertion  that  Milwaukee  was  first  pronounced  me-ne- 
au-kee,  and  meant  rich  or  beautiful  land,  but  the  land  upon  which  the  city 
is  now  located  was  not  particularly  fertile,  although  the  site  of  the  city 
was  beautiful.  The  first  mention  of  Milwaukee  is  in  the  journal  of  Father 
Zenobe  Membra,  in  1679,  which  records  the  existence  of  a  tribe  of  Indians 
at  the  mouth  of  the  Millicki  River.  A  priest  named  Father  John  Baisson 
de  St.  Cosme  touched  at  the  Mclwarik  with  a  flotilla  of  canoes  in  the  fall 
of  1699  on  the  way  from  Mackinaw  to  what  now  is  Chicago.  Lieutenant 
James  Gorrell,  of  the  Eightieth  Royal  American  Regiment,  mentions  in 
his  journal  under  date  of  September  1,  1761,  the  arrival  of  a  party  of  Indians 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line  103 

from  Milwacky.  In  the  Haldimand  papers,  discovered  in  England  and  pub- 
lished by  the  Wisconsin  State  Historical  Society,  there  is  a  report  by  Capt. 
Samuel  Robertson,  of  His  Majesty's  sloop  Felicity,  concerning  a  voyage 
of  discovery  around  Lake  Michigan,  in  which  he  mentions  Milwackey, 
under  date  of  November  1,  1779.  There  are  at  least  eleven  or  twelve  spell- 
ings of  this  word  known  to  writers  of  early  history.  E.  M.  Haines  in  his 
North  American  Indian  says,  "Milwaukee  is  an  Algonquin  word  for  "good 
land,"  "rich  land."  The  earliest  mention  is  by  Hennepin.  He  refers  to 
a  river  in  what  is  now  "Wisconsin,  which  he  called  Milicke.  This  was  doubt- 
less the  French  understanding  of  the  sounds  that  made  up  the  name,  but  it 
was  not  Indian  of  the  Indians  that  lived  there  in  Hennepin's  time,  as 
they  had  no  sound  of  "1"  in  their  dialect,  they  used  the  sound  of  "n" 
instead.  It  is  fair  to  believe  that  the  word  was  derived  from  some  Indian 
tribes,  living  along  the  river  in  Hennepin's  time,  and  that  the  French  used 
the  sound  "  1 "  instead  of  "  n. "  Min-wau-kee  and  Min-noau-kee  would  mean 
1 '  good  earth,  "  "  good  place, "  or  "  good  country. ' '  Min-au-kee  would  mean 
"country  of  berries."     MU-tig-wau-ka-kee  meant  forest." 

Minfield,  Fremont  County,  Wyoming.  This  town  was  platted  by  the  Pioneer 
Town  Site  Company  and  was  named  by  it.  The  name  is  from  the  Arapo- 
hoe  Indian  language  and  means  "good." 

Minneota,  Lyon  County,  Minnesota,  was  named  by  George  P.  Goodwin  and  the 
name  is  assumed  to  be  a  Dakota  Indian  word,  meaning  "much  water." 
The  town  was  platted  by  the  Winona  and  St.  Peter  Railroad  Company  in 
1881.     Its  first  name  was  Nordland,  and  was  given  in  honor  of  Norway. 

Minnesota  City,  Winona  County,  Minnesota,  was  named  in  1852  from  the  state 
by  Robert  Pike. 

Minnesota  Junction,  Dodge  County,  Wisconsin,  was  nameil  from  the  state. 
The  town  was  located  on  a  railroad  that  was  expected  to  reach  and  cross 
the  then  territory  of  Minnesota. 

Miranda,  Faulk  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  from  the  given  name  of  the 
mother  of  the  President  of  the  Chicago  and  Northwestern  Railway  Com- 
pany.    It  was  platted  by  the  Western  Town  Lot  Company  in  1886. 

Mission  Hill,  Yankton  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  by  Rev.  D.  B.  Nich- 
ols, from  a  nearby  hill,  on  which  in  the  early  days,  was  maintained  a  small 
congregational  country  church. 

Missouri  Valley,  Harrison  County.  Iowa.  The  original  name  was  St.  Johns, 
though  the  original  town  of  that  name  was  and  is  four  miles  distant  from 
the  present  town.  When  the  railroad  was  built  up  the  valley  of  the  Mis- 
souri River,  the  name  was  changed  to  Missouri  Valley  Junction,  as  the 
place  was  to  be  the  junction  of  two  lines  of  railway.  Its  name  was  for 
brevity  changed  to  the  present  form.  The  present  town  was  laid  out  in  1867. 

Modale,  Harrison  County,  Iowa.  This  is  a  name  made  from  "Mo"  the  abbrevia- 
tion for  Missouri  (referring  to  the  nearby  river)  and  "dale"  a  small 
valley  or  glen,  that  at  this  point  ran  down  to  the  "river's  brink." 

Mokoma.  Natrona  County,  Wyoming.  This  name  is  from  the  Ojibway  Indian 
word  mokomav,  meaning  "knife." 

Moingona,  Boone  County,  Iowa,  was  named  from  the  Indian  Mi-ko-nang ,  mean- 
ing "road."  The  French  spoke  the  word  as  if  spelled  Moingona,,  and  short- 
ened to  Hoin,  and  used  that  as  a  part  of  the  name  for  the  river,  which  we 
now  call  the  Des  Moines  River.     C.  E.  Vail,  of  New  Jersey,  named  this  town. 


104  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 


Mondarain,  Harrisou  County,  ]owa.  This  is  an  Indian  word  meaning  "corn," 
or  the  "place  where  corn  grows."  Longfellow  in  his  song  of  Hiawatha, 
makes  Mondamin  wrestle  and  be  thrown  and  buried  by  Hiawatha,  and  from 
his  body  comes  corn,  "the  friend  of  man." 

Monico  Junction,  Oneida  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  by  B.  F.  Door.  Tbt- 
name  seems  to  have  been  made  for  this  place  as  no  trace  of  its  origin  c^n 
be  found. 

Monmouth,  Jackson  County,  Iowa,  was  named  from  the  township.  That  was 
named  from  the  Revolutionary  battle  of  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  Jut*- 
28th,  1778. 

Monowi,  Boyd  County,  Nebraska,  was  platted  by  the  Pioneer  Town  Site  Com 
pany  in  1902.     The     name  given  it  was     made  for  the  purpose  and     wai 
intended  to  be  accepted  as  an  Indian  word.     Some  people  claim  it  is  Indian 
and  means  "a  flower,"  but  no  adequate  authority  seems  to  be  found  for 
that  assertion. 

Monroe,  Turner  County,  South  Dakota,  was  platted  in  1887  under  the  name  of 
"Warrington,  by  the  Pioneer  Town  Site  Company,  and  was  finally  name''. 
Monroe  for  ex-President  Monroe   of  the  United  States. 

Montfort,  Grant  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  an  old  fort,  or  palissaoV.: 
block  house  that  in  an  early  day  was  built  on  a  nearby  mound,  as  a  pr<. 
tection  to  the  settlers  against  hostile  Indians.     Its  postoffice  was  succes- 
sively called  Wingville  and  Podunk,  but  now  agrees  with  the  name  of  the 
village. 

Montrose  Siding,  Manitowoc  County,  Wisconsin.     This  place  was  named  from 
Montrose  which  was  referred  to  by  Sir  Walter  Scott  in  his  legend  of  Mont 
rose,  and  that  undoubtedly  came  from  the  town  of  that  name  in  Scotland. 

Montour,  Tama  County,  Iowa.  The  original  name  was  Orford.  The  present 
name  is  from  a  county  in  Pennsylvania.  That  was  named  for  Andrew  Mon- 
tour, son  of  Madam  Margret  Montour,  and  an  Oneida  Indian.  The  Madam 
had  before  her  marriage  with  the  Oneida  been  married  to  a  Seneca  Indian. 
Montour  was  an  interpreter  and  guide  and  was  faithful  to  the  whites  at  a 
time  when  half  breeds  were  nearly  all  enemies  to  the  whites  and  were 
treacherous.  The  Madam  had  several  daughters  who  were  noted  women  in 
their  locality. 

Moneta,  Fremont  County,  Wyoming,  was  laid  out  in  1906  and  named  from  a 
village  in  O'Brien  County,  Iowa,  which  was  named  from  the  ancient  name 
of  the  Island  of  Anglesey.  A  local  legend  declared  the  word  was  Spanish 
and  meant  "little  money." 

Moorhead,  Monona  County,  Iowa,  was  platted  in  1899  by  the  Western  Town  Lot 
Company  and  named  for  J.  B.  Moorhead,  an  early  settler. 

Morgan,  Redwood  County,  Minnesota,  was  platted  in  1878  by  the  Western  Town 
Lot  Company  and  was  named  for  Henry  Lewis  Morgan,  the  American 
soldier,  author  and  explorer.  He  explored  in  an  early  day  this  part  of  Min- 
nesota and  wrote  a  full  history  of  the  American  beaver  (Castor  Americana) 
and  its  works. 

Monti,  Deuel  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  for  Andrew  Merits,  an  early 
nearby  settler. 

Morrison,  Whiteside  County,  Illinois,  was  named  by  Lyman  Johnson,  the  orig 
inal  owner  of  the  townsite,  for  Charles  Morrison,  of  New  York  City. 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Ling  105 

Morse,  Bureau  County,  Illinois,  was  named  for  W.  E.  Morse,  a  railroad  olHeinl 
of  Chicago.  Its  postoffice  is  called  Lombardville,  and  was  foruiorlj  ealle<! 
Coda,  a  misspelling  of  Code,  from  an  early  settler  here. 

Morse  Bluff,  Saunders  County,  Nebraska,  was  platted  in  1887  and  named  Morse 
by  the  Pioneer  Town  Site  Company.  To  prevent  confusion  owing  to  an- 
other Morse  on  the  line  of  the  North  Western  Road,  the  word  "Bluff," 
was  added  to  the  station  name.  The  place  was  named  for  Chas.  W.  Morse 
of  North  Bend,  Nebraska,  who  ouce  owned  the  land  on  which  the  town  site 
is. 

Moreland,  Cook  County,  Illinois.  When  this  place  was  platted  it  was  under 
water  most  of  the  time;  this  caused  H.  H.  Porter  one  of  the  owners  to  Bay 
"more  land  and  less  water  is  much  needed  here."  The  first  words  of  this 
sentence  were  taken  as  the  name  for  the  town. 

Mosel,  Sheboygan  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  the  river  (Moselle)  in 
Germany  and  France,  that  is  noted  for  the  vineyards  on  its  banks  and  the 
wine   that  is  made  therefrom. 

Mosling,  Oconto  County,  Wisconsin,  was  originally  called  Linwood  from  the 
"Linn"  or  "basswood"  (Tilia  Americana)  trees  that  grew  nearby.  When 
that  name  was  dropped,  it  was  named  for  a  merchant  doing  business  there. 

Mount  Horeb,  Dane  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  Mount  Horeb,  in 
Arabia,  Petria  on  the  Sinai  Peninsula,  the  supposed  dwelling  place  of  the 
ancient  Israelitish  "Jehovah,"  who  appeared  to  Moses  and  gave  him  "The 
Law."     The  word  is  supposed  to  mean  "Mount  of  God." 

Mount  Prospect,  Cook  County,  Illinois,  was  so  named  because  it  wa«  thought 
that  the  name  was  descriptive  of  the  place. 

Mount  Vernon,  Linn  County,  Iowa.  The  town  was  laid  out  by  A.  J.  Willetts  is 
1847  and  was  named  for  the  Virginian  home  of  George  Washington. 

Mountain,  Oconto  County,  Wisconsin,  was  platted  by  the  Western  Town  Lot 
Company  in  1896.  It  was  named  from  its  location  in  a  deep  valley  be- 
tween very  high  and  precipitous  hills.  It  got  this  name  in  the  early  stage 
days,  when  the  stages  had  to  climb  these  hills,  or,  as  the  drivers  called 
them — ' '  mountains. ' ' 

Moville,  Woodbury  County,  Iowa,  was  platted  by  the  Western  Town  Lot  ''nm 
pany  in  1887,  and  was  named  from  "Mo.,"  the  abbreviation  of  the  word 
Missouri  (referring  to  the  nearby  river)  and  the  word  "ville" — village. 

Munrfords,  Menominee  County,  Michigan,  was  named  for  a  man  named   Mum 
ford,  who  owned  kilns  and  made  charcoal  here. 

Nachusa,  Lee  County,  Illinois,  was  named  by  A.  P.  Dysart,  the  original  ownpr 
of  the  town  site.  Before  this  name  was  given  it,  the  town  was  called 
Taylor.  The  present  name  is  supposed  to  be  Sac  or  Fox  Indian,  but  the 
meaning  is  unknown. 

Nadeau,  Menominee  County,  Michigan,  was  named  by  the  county  authorities 
for  "Tony"  Nadeau,  an  early  settler. 

Narenta,  Delta  County,  Michigan,  was  originally  named  Deerfield.  The  origin 
or  significance  of  that  name  is  lost.  The  present  name  is  from  the  river  in 
Herzegovina  in  Europe.  Its  Slavic  name  is  Nantva;  aneient  Naro,  and  is 
anglicized  as  above.     Its  postoffice  is  called  Bark  River. 

Nashville,  Jackson  County,  Iowa,  was  named  in  1854  by  Dr.  D.  S.  Teeple  from 
the  city  in  Tennessee. 


106  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 

Natrona,  Natrona  County,  Wyoming,  was  named  from  the  county.  The  county 
was  named  from  the  Spanish  word  Natron,  meaning  "Native  Carbonite  of 
Soda,"  which  is  plentiful  here. 

Necedah,  Juneau  County,  Wisconsin.  The  name  is  a  corruption  of  Ojibway  In- 
dian nissida,  meaning  "let  there  be  three  of  us."  The  river  on  which 
the  village  is  located  is  called  "Yellow  Eiver"  by  the  whites,  but  by  the 
Indians  was  called  nissida. 

Nekoosa,  Wood  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  the  Nekoosa  Paper  Com- 
pany. The  word  is  Winnebago  Indian  and  in  that  tongue  means  "run- 
ning water."  The  Indiana  gave  the  place  that  name  because  of  the  rap- 
ids here  in  the  Wisconsin  Eiver.  The  first  white  settlers  here,  amongst 
whom  was  Daniel  Whitney,  who  built  a  mill  here  in  1834,  called  the  place 
Whitney's  Eapids,  for  this  Daniel  Whitney.  In  1847  it  was  called  "Poiut 
Boss,"  for  a  lumberman  named  Boss.  In  1893,  its  name  was  definitely 
fixed  as  Nekoosa. 

Neenah.  WTinnebago  County,  Wisconsin.  The  name  is  derived  from  an  Indian 
word  meaning  "water." 

Negaunee,  Marquette  County,  Michigan.  The  name  is  a  Chippewa  (Ojibway; 
Indian  word  meaning  "first"  "ahead"  "he  goes  before."  The  word  was 
selected  by  Peter  White  (Pierre  Le  Blanc),  an  early  and  much  loved  citizen 
of  Marquette,  Mich.,  at  the  suggestion  of  the  owners  of  the  Pioneer  Iron 
Company  as  the  best  word  he  could  think  of  that  would  represent  the  word 
' '  Pioneer. ' ' 

Nashville,  Forest  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  G.  V.  Nash,  of  Forest  City, 
Arkansas. 

Neligh,  Antelope  County,  Nebraska,  was  named  in  1873  by  William  B.  Lambert, 
for  John  D.  Neligh  of  West  Point,  Nebraska,  who  platted  the  town  site. 

Nelson,  Lee  County,  Illinois,  was  named  for  Samuel  Nelson,  an  early  settler 
here. 

Nenzil,  Cherry  County,  Nebraska,  was  named  for  George  Nenzil,  an  early  set- 
tler of  this  part  of  the  county  and  the  owner  of  the  land  on  which  the 
town  is  located. 

Neshkora,  Marquette  County,  Wisconsin.  This  name  was  built  up  from  Nash 
and  Kora,  names  of  two  of  the  early  settlers  near  this  town.  For 
euphony  the  first  name  is  spelled  Nesh  instead  of  Nash. 

Nevada,  Story  County,  Iowa.  This  is  a  Spanish  word  meaning  "snow  clad" 
"snowy  land,"  and  was  originally  applied  to  snow  capped  mountains.  The 
town  was  named  by  the  county  commissioners  in  1853,  from  the  Sierra  Ne- 
vada mountains. 

Nevada  Gulch,  Lawrence  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  from  the  gulch  in 
which  it  is  located.  That  was  named  from  the  State  of  Nevada,  and  this 
was  named  from  the  Spanish  word  meaning  "snow  clad"  "snowy  land," 
and  was  originally  applied  to  snow  capped  mountains. 

Newald,  Forest  County,  Wisconsin,  was  platted  in  1905  by  the  Western  Town 
Lot  Company  and  was  named  Eoss  for  Chas.  Eoss,  an  early  settler  of  the 
vicinity.  The  name  was  changed  in  1906  to  Newald  for  the  owner  of  prop- 
erty in  the  vicinity. 

Newbold,  Oneida  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  Fred.  Newbold,  a  nephew 
of  F.  W.  Ehinelander,  President  of  the  Milwaukee,  Lake  Shore  and  West- 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line  107 


ern    Railroad,   when    it  was   built   thro'   this   place.     Mr.    Nowbold   owned 
and  operated  a  saw  mill  at  Tigerton,  Wisconsin. 

New  London,  Waupaca  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  in  1852  by  R.  Smith, 
when  building  a  plank  road  between  Appleton  and  Stevens  Point,  from  hi3 
old  home  in  Connecticut. 

New  London  Junction,  Outagamie  County,  Wisconsin.  The  name  was  given  this 
site  because  at  this  point,  another  railroad  crossed  that  of  the  Chicago 
and  North  Western  Company,  which  runs  thro'  New  London  proper. 

Newman's  Grove,  Madison  County,  Nebraska,  was  platted  in  1886  by  the  Pio- 
neer Town  Site  Company  and  was  named  from  a  r.earby  grove.  This 
grove  was  named  for  one  of  the  first  settlers  in  this  part  of  the  state,  who 
planted  the  grove  that  was  ultimately  known  by  this  name. 

Newport,  Rock  County,  Nebraska.  During  the  time  the  Government  was 
building  the  United  States  Military  Post  at  Fort  Niobrara,  a  bridge  was 
built  across  the  Niobrara  River  some  ten  or  twelve  miles  north  of  this 
place,  and  mule  trains  crossed  there  and  followed  the  north  side  of  the  river 
for  a  good  many  miles  west.  This  bridge  was  called  the  Newport  Bridge. 
When  the  railroad  was  built  the  Chief  Engineer  thereof,  thought  it  proper 
to  call  this  place  Newport,  because  it  was  the  nearest  point  to  the  bridge 
aforesaid. 

Newton,  Manitowoc  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  Sergeant  John  Newton 
of  the  Revolutionary  War.     The  postoffice  is  called  Timothy. 

New  Ulm,  Brown  County,  Minnesota,  was  named  New  Ulm  by  immigrants  from 
their  native  city,  (Ulm)  in  Germany. 

Nlckerson,  Dodge  County,  Nebraska,  was  named  for  Captain  Frederick  Nick 
erson,  a  sea   captain,   steamboat   owner   and   capitalist  of  Boston,  Massa- 
chusetts. 

Nicollet,  Nicollet  County,  Minnesota,  was  named  for  Jean  Nicholas  Nicollet, 
a  French  explorer  and  Cartographer.  He  was  born  in  Savoy  in  1781  and 
came  to  the  United  States  on  a  scientific  tour.  He  explored  the  southern 
states  and  then  via  the  Red,  Arkansas  and  Missouri  Rivers  he  traversed  the 
great  central  basin  of  the  continent.  In  1836  he  visited  the  sources  of  the 
Mississippi  river  and  prepared  maps  of  his  journeys  for  the  United  States 
Government.    He  died  in  Washington,  D.  C,  in  1843. 

Nilea  Center,  Cook  County,  Illinois,  was  named  for  the  township.  That  waa 
named  for  Niles  a  village  in  Cayuga  County,  New  York. 

Niobrara,  Knox  County,  Nebraska.  This  is  an  Indian  word  meaning  "swift 
water"  "running  water,"  and  was  first  applied  to  the  river  and  from  that 
was  applied  to  the  town  site. 

Node  Ranch,  Converse  County,  Wyoming,  was  named  from  the  cattle  brand  of 
a  nearby  cattle  ranch,  that  was  owned  by  a  Denver,  Colorado,  corporation, 
and  that  was  managed  by  Frank  S.  Lusk,  for  whom  the  town  and  station  of 
Lusk,  were  named.     The  name  Node  was  taken  from  a  work  on  astronomy. 

Nora,  Nuckolls  County,  Nebraska,  was  platted  in  1888  under  the  name  of  South 
Nora  by  the  Pioneer  Town  Site  Company  and  was  named  from  Nora, 
Illinois,  whence  its  earliest  settlers  emigrated.  Nora,  Illinois,  was  named 
by  Colonel  R.  B.  Mason,  Chief  Engineer  of  the  Illinois  Central  railroad  at 
the  request  of  J.  M.  Douglas,  its  President,  for  a  woman  living  there  when 
the  village  was  started.  He  said  it  was  a  small  place  and  should  have  a 
small  name. 


108  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 


Norfolk,  Madison  County,  Nebraska,  was  named  by  ex-Governor  John  M. 
Thayer  from  the  county  in  England  and  from  Norfolk,  Massachusetts.  A 
local  though  untrue  legend  is  to  the  effect  that  it  was  named  for  the  north 
fork  of  the  Elkhorn  River. 

Norfolk  Junction.  Madison  County,  Nebraska,  was  platted  in  1881  by  the  Pio- 
neer Town  Site  Company  and  was  named  from  its  proximity  to  the  City  of 
Norfolk. 

Normandy,  Bureau  County,  Illinois,  was  named  for  the  Norman  family  from 
whom  the  land  for  the  town  site  was  bought. 

Norrie,  Marathon  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  Gordon  Norrie,  for  many 
years,  Treasurer  of  the  Milwaukee,  Lake  Shore  and  Western  Railroad. 

North  Aurora,  Kane  County,  Illinois,  was  named  from  its  being  north  and  near 
to  the  city  of  Aurora. 

Nowlin,  Stanley  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  from  a  nearby  postoffice. 
That  was  named  for  Major  Henry  J.  Nowlan  of  the  United  States  Army. 
In  naming  the  postoffice  it  was  erroneously  spelled  and  this  corrupt  spell- 
ing has  followed  into  the  spelling  of  the  name  of  the  town. 

North  Avenue,  Cook  County,  Illinois.  This  is  merely  a  station  located  on  North 
Avenue  in  the  city  of  Chicago;  the  Avenue  when  so  named  was  the  north- 
ern limits  of  the  city. 

North  Chicago,  Lake  County,  Illinois.  The  original  name  of  this  place  was 
South  Waukegau,  and  was  so  named  because  of  its  joining  the  limits  of 
that  city.  Its  name  was  ultimately  changed  by  some  real  estate  speculators 
who  bought  the  place. 

North  Freedom,  Sauk  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  the  sentiment  that 
should  animate  all  Americans.  The  town  was  originally  named  Bloom 
by  G.  Van  Meenan  for  G.  W.  Bloom,  the  original  owner  of  the  town  site. 
The  name  was  changed  to  North  Freedom  on  petition  from  the  citizens. 

Northfield,  Cook  County,  Illinois,  was  named  from  Northfield,  Massachusetts, 
and  that  was  so  named  because  of  its  northerly  situation  in  the  county  of 
Franklin. 

Northville,  Spink  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  by  the  railroad  company 
from  the  fact  that  the  station  then  was  the  most  northerly  station  on 
the  railroad.  The  town  was  platted  in  1881  by  the  Western  Town  Lot 
Company. 

Norwalk,  Monroe  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  by  S.  McGarry  the  original 
owner  of  the  town  site,  from  his  residence  in  the  State  of  Ohio.  Norwalk, 
Ohio,  that  was  named  for  Norwalk  in  Connecticut,  and  that  was  derived 
from  an  Indian  word  meaning  "A  point  of  land." 

Norway,  Benton  County,  Iowa,  wTas  named  by  Osman  Tuttle,  a  Norwegian, 
from  his  native  state. 

Norway,  Dickinson  County,  Michigan,  was  named  because  of  the  abundance  of 
so-called  Norway  pine  (Pinus  resinosa — "Red  Pine")  that  grew  in  the 
vicinity  when  the  town  was  established. 

Norwood  Park,  Cook  County,  Illinois,  was  named  Norwood  by  the  owner  of  the 
town  site  from  a  novel  written  by  Henry  Ward  Beecher.  The  word  "Park" 
was  afterwards  added  to  distinguish  this  place  from  Norwood  in  Mercer 
County,  Illinois. 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line  101) 

Oak,  Nuckolls  County,  Nebraska,  was  platted  in  1888  by  the  Pioneer  Town  Site 
Company  and  was  named  from  Oak  Creek,  a  tributary  of  the  Big  Blue  River 
that  runs  through  the  town.  The  creek  was  named  because  of  the  groves 
of  oak  trees  that  lined  its  banks. 

Oak  Center,  Fond  du  Lac  County,  Wisconsin.  Was  named  by  Perry  H.  Smith, 
an  officer  of  the  original  Chicago  and  North  Western  Railway,  because  the 
town  was  established  in  a  grove  of  oaks. 

Oakdale,  Antelope  County,  Nebraska,  was  laid  out  in  1891  by  the  Pioneer  Town 
Site  Company  and  was  named  by  I.  N.  Taylor  of  Omaha,  Nebraska,  who 
was  part  owner  in  the  town  site.  He  named  it  Oakdale  because  of  the  oak 
trees  that  grew  around  the  place. 

Oakes,  Dickey  County,  North  Dakota,  was  named  for  Thomas  P.  Oakes  an 
officer  of  the  Northern  Pacific  Railroad.  The  town  was  laid  out  in  1S86 
by  the  Western  Town  Lot  Company. 

Oakfield,  Fond  du  Lac  County,  Wisconsin,  was  so  named  by  Jacob  Brewster,  an 
early  settler,  because  it  was  located  in  a  grove  of  oak  trees. 

Oak  Park,  Cook  County,  Illinois.  The  settlement  was  first  known  as  Kettle- 
strings'  Grove.  The  second  name  was  Oak  Ridge.  When  in  the  summer 
of  1848,  the  railroad  reached  here  from  Chicago,  the  station  was  named 
Harlem  from  Harlem  in  Holland,  and  the  postoffice  was  named  Noyesville 
for  an  old  settler.  The  present  name  followed  the  above  and  was  adopted 
because  of  the  many  oak  trees  that  grew  on  the  village  plat. 

Oconto,  Oconto  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  the  river.  The  word 
is  Indian.  In  one  language  it  means  "red  ground"  and  in  the  Menominee 
dialect,  "place  of  the  pickerel."  The  river  was,  by  the  early  settlers, 
called  the  Pickerel  River.     The  Indians  also  called  the  black  bass  Oconto. 

Ocla,  Fremont  County,  Wyoming,  was  platted  by  the  Pioneer  Town  Site  Com- 
pany and  was  named  for  an  Indian  (Omaha  tribe,  perhaps)  word  meaning 
"water." 

Oconto  Falls,  Oconto  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  because  it  is  located  near 
the  falls  of  the  Oconto  River. 

Octavia,  Butler  County,  Nebraska,  was  laid  out  in  1887  by  the  Pioneer  Town 
Site  Company  and  was  named  for  Mrs.  Octavia  Speltz,  wife  of  Allen 
Speltz,  a  prominent  farmer  of  the  vicinity,  who  desired  that  the  town 
should  be  so  named. 

Odanah,  Ashland  County,  Wisconsin,  is  an  Ojibway  Indian  word  meaning 
"town"  or  "village." 

Odebolt,  Sac  County,  Iowa,  was  so  named  from  a  stream  that  runs  through  the 
town.  The  name  is  a  corruption  of  Odebeau,  the  name  of  a  French  trap- 
per, who  in  1855  lived  on  the  bank  of  the  creek.  The  town  was  platted 
by  the  Blair  Land  Company  in  1877. 

Odin,  Watonwan  County,  Minnesota,  was  laid  out  in  1899  by  the  Western  Town 
Lot  Company  and  was  named  from  Odin,  a  village  in  Marion  County, 
Illinois;  that  was  named  for  the  heathen  god  Odin  of  the  ancient  northern 
nations. 

Oelrichs,  Fall  River  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  for  Henry  Oelricha,  who 
owned  a  cattle  ranch  in  the  immediate  vicinity. 

Ogden,  Boone  County,  Iowa,  was  named  for  William  B.  Ogden,  an  early  Presi- 
dent of  the  Galena  and  Chicago  Union  and  of  the  Chicago  &  North  West- 
ern railroads. 


110  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 

Okee,  Columbia  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  by  Mrs.  (Dr.)  Miller  Blakeley. 
It  is  an  Indian  word  meaning  "evil  spirits."  In  another  Indian  dialect 
the  word  is  Auke  and  means  "earth"  or  "place."  The  early  French 
maps  give  the  name  as  Okee. 

Omaha,  Douglas  County,  Nebraska,  is  an  Indian  word  meaning  "up  stream." 
The  name  was  suggested  for  the  town  by  Jesse  Lowe.  Omaha  is  also  the 
name  of  a  tribe  designated  as  the  "up-stream  people."  In  Lewis  and 
Clark's  day,  the  tribe  was  known  as  the  Mah-has. 

Omaha  Heights,  Douglas  County,  Nebraska,  was  so  named  because  the  station 
was  located  on  a  height  of  land  adjoining  the  city  of  Omaha. 

Onalaska,  La  Crosse  County,  Wisconsin,  Onalaska  is  doubtless  of  Indian  deri- 
vation or  construction;  its  meaning  is  doubtful.  Some  claim,  it  means 
"bright  water,"  and  others,  that  it  was  the  name  of  a  Winnebago  Indian 
woman  and  that  it  had  no  meaning.  It  is  also  claimed  the  name  came 
from  the  Alaska  Indians  or  from  a  Eussian  corruption  of  an  Indian  word. 

Onawa,  Monona  County,  Iowa,  was  laid  out  in  1857  by  the  Monona  Land  Com- 
pany, and  afterwards  was  named  from  an  elision  of  Onaway,  one  of  the 
characters  in  Longfellow's  poem  of  the  story  of  Hiawatha.  The  word 
means  "awake"  or  "wide  awake." 

O'Neill,  Holt  County,  Nebraska,  was  laid  out  in  1S99  by  the  Pioneer  Town 
Site  Company.  The  town  was  named  for  General  John  O'Neill,  the  Irish 
patriot,  who  took  a  large  colony  of  his  countrymen,  from  Scranton,  Penn- 
sylvania, and  settled  them  in  the  vicinity.  He  ordered  that  no  spiritous 
liquors  should  be  sold  in  his  part  of  the  domain,  and  that  prohibition  still 
obtains. 

Onslow,  Jones  County,  Iowa,  was  named  by  W.  T.  Shaw,  the  owner  of  the  town 
site,  for  an  ex-Governor  of  the  State  of  Maine. 

Ontario,  Story  County,  Iowa,  was  named  by  H.  Scott,  the  owner  of  the  town 
site,  from  Ontario,  Eichland  County,  Ohio,  where  he  once  lived. 

Oostburg,  Sheboygan  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  by  Peter  Doane  from 
Oostburg  in  Holland,  whence  Mr.  Doane  and  many  of  the  settlers  in  the 
vicinity  had  emigrated. 

Oralabor,  Polk  County,  Iowa,  was  named  by  John  Albrecht,  the  owner  of  the 
land  where  the  village  was  established.  Its  significance  if  it  ever  had  any 
seems  to  be  lost. 

Oral,  Fall  Biver  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  from  a  nearby  postoffice, 
that  was  named  Oral  from  the  word  that  means  "uttered  through  the 
mouth,"  and  was  selected  to  show  that  from  the  time  the  place  was  so 
named  "it  would  be  a  place  that  would  be  mentioned  or  spoken  about  in 
place  of  merely  being  pointed  at  or  known  by  sign  language."  The  place 
was  formerly  known  as  Cheyenne  Pit. 

Orange  City,  Sioux  County,  Iowa,  was  named  for  William  I,  the  Silent,  Count 
of  Nassau,  Prince  of  Orange  and  finally  Count  of  Holland,  by  Henry  Hos- 
pers  who  laid  out  the  town  in  1872,  and  who  wished  to  honor  the  Holland- 
ers who  early  settled  in  this  county. 

Ordway,  Brown  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  for  N.  G.  Ordway,  once  Gov- 
ernor of  Dakota  Territory.  The  town  was  platted  by  the  Western  Town 
Lot  Company  in  1880. 

Ore  Dock  Junction.  Ashland  County,  Wisconsin,  is  merely  the  railroad  operat- 
ing name  for  a  junction  point,  and  has  no  significance. 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line  111 


Oregon,  Dane  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  the  township  and  that  was 
named   from  the   State   of   Oregon.     The   meaning  of   the   word   is  in   dis- 
pute.    Some  authorities  claim  it  was  derived  from  Origanum,  the  botanical 
name  of  a  plant;   others  claim  it  was  derived  from  the   Spanish  Oregones, 
which   was  a  name  given  the   Indians  inhabiting  the  region,  by  a  Jesuit 
priest,  and  that  the  word  means  "big  eared  men." 
Orin  Junction,  Converse  County,  Wyoming,  was  named  from  the  given  name  of 
Orin  Hughitt  of  Genoa,  Cayuga  County,  New  York,  an  uncle  of  the  president 
of  the  Chicago  &  North  Western  railway.    The  word  "Junction"  was  added 
to  the  man 's  name  because  the  place  became  the  junction  of  two  railroads. 
Osier,  Delta  County,  Michigan.    This  name  was  suggested  by  the  abundance  of 
the  Osier,   (Salix  discolor)   a  variety  of  willow,  that  were  found  here  when 
the  town  was  located. 
Otis,  Linn  County,  Iowa,  was  named  for  Harrison  Gray  Otis  of  Massachusetts. 
Owasa,  Hardin  County,  Iowa.     This  name  is  a  corruption  of  the  Sac  Indian  word 

' '  owasse ' ' — meaning  a  ' '  bear. ' ' 
Owatonna,  Steele   County,   Minnesota,  was  named   from   the   river.     The  word 
is   Sioux  Indian   and   meant  "straight."     It  was  applied   to   the  river  in 
derision,    as  it    is   about    the   crookedest   river   in   the   state.     The   Indian 
word  was  spelled  O-wa-ton-nia. 
Owanka,  Pennington  County,  South  Dakota.     This  place  was  originally  named 
Wicota,  which  is  a  Sioux  Indian  word,  meaning  "a  crowd."     That  name 
was   dropped  and  the  place  is   now  named   Owanka,  which  is  a  Sioux  In- 
dian word  meaning  "a  camp"  or  a  "good  camping  ground— (place.)  " 
Oro,  Menominee  County,  Michigan,  was  named  from  the  Spanish  word  mean- 
ing "gold,"  because  it  was  thought  that  metal  had  been  found  here. 
Oronoco,  Olmsted  County,  Minnesota.     Was  named  from  the  Orinoco  Eiver  in 
Venezuela,  but  in  some  now  unknown  way,  the  name  was  misspelled  when 
the  plat  of  the  village  was  recorded. 
Orson.  Harrison  County,  Iowa,  was  laid  out  in  1899  by  the  Western  Town  Lot 
Company.    Before  the  coming  of  the  railroad,  a  nearby  postoffice  had  this 
name,  and  it  was  translated  to  the  new  location.     It  was  named  for  Orson 
Pratt,  a  prominent  Mormon  church  official. 
Osborne,  Iron  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  A.  L.  Osborne,  who  had  the 
management  of  extensive  sawmills  at   Giles,  Wisconsin,  and  was  General 
Manager   of   the   Hemlock   Company   and    of   the   Montreal   Paver   Lumber 
Company  at  Giles,  Wisconsin. 
Oshawa,  Nickollet   County,   Minnesota.     Oshawa  is   an   Indian   word   meaning 

"ferry  him  over,"  or  "across  the  river." 
Oshkosh,  Winnebago  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  a  Winnebago  Indian 
Chief.  The  word  means  "nail"  "claw"  or  "horny  part  of  the  foot  of 
beasts  or  birds."  This  name  for  the  town  was  suggested  by  Eobert 
Grignon,  a  French  trader.  Other  names  were  suggested  and  finally  to  settle 
the  question,  an  election  was  held  and  Oshkosh  was  adopted  by  the  vote 
of  Grignon  's  Indians.  , 
Palatine,  Cook  County,  Illinois.  The  name  was  transferred  from  the  political 
division  in  Germany,  by  the  early  settlers  who  were  Jramigrants  from  the 
Palatinate.  The  town  was  laid  out  by  Darius  or  Joel  Wood  who  came  here 
from  Smithfield,  Pennsylvania  in  1846.  Darius  Wood  died  at  this  place 
in  1907. 


112  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 


Panola.  Iron  County,  Michigan.     Is  an  Indian  word  meaning  "cotton."     For 
this  locality  it  was  borrowed  from  a  place  in  Florida,  and  was  adopted  by 
"W.  B.  Linsley  for  this  place. 
Parker,  Turner  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  for  the  family  name  of  the 
wife  of  one  of  the  officers  of  the  Chicago,  Milwaukee  and  St.  Paul  Railroad. 
Parkersburg,  Butler  County,  Iowa,  was  named  by  J.  P.  Parker,  an  early  hotel 
keeper  here,  for  Nathan  H.  Parker,  of  Davenport,  Iowa,  a  noted  writer  in 
the  50s  and  60s  of  the  early  history  of  the  North  West  and  of  guide  books, 
etc.,  etc. 
Park  Ridge,  Cook  County,    Illinois.     Its    first    name  was    Brickton,    but    for 
euphony,   that   name   was   dropped   and   the  present   one   substituted.     The 
present  name  was  applied,  because  the  site  of  the  village  is  on  a  ridge. 
Parrish,  Langlade  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  a  long-time  Director,  of 
the  Milwaukee,  Lake  Shore  and  Western  Railroad,  the  first  railroad  that 
was  built  through  this  place. 
Partridge,  Marquette  County,  Michigan,  was  named  from  a  nearby  stream,  and 
that  was  named  because  of  the  great  number  of  "drumming  partridges" 
(ruffed  grouse)  the  engineers  found  there  when  the  land  was  first  surveyed. 
Paulding,  Ontonagon  County,  Michigan.     Paulding  was  named  for  John  Pauld- 
ing, who  assisted  in  the  capture  of  Major  Andre  of  Revolutionary  infamy. 
Paullina.  O'Brien  County,  Iowa,  was  named  for  the  Paullina  Brothers,  early 
settlers  and  large  land  owners  here  when  the  town  was  established.     The 
town  was  laid  out  in  1882  by  the  Western  Town  Lot  Company. 
Paxton,  Redwood  County,  Minnesota,  was  platted  in  1879  by  the  Western  Town 
Lot  Company,  and  was  named  for  the  botanist,  Sir  Joseph  Paxton,  of  Eng- 
land, who  was  prominent  in  promoting  emigration  to  the  United  States. 
Pecatonica,  Winnebago  Count}*,  Illinois.     The  town  was  named  from  the  river 
on  which  it  is  located.     This  was  named  from  a  corruption  of  the  Indian 
word  pickatolica,  the  Indian  name  of  a  species  of  fish. 
Peebles,  Fond  du  Lac  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  and  by  Ezra  Peebles, 

the  first  owner  of  the  town  site. 
Pelican,  Oneida  County,  Wisconsin.     The  village  was  named  for  the  lake  on 
which    it   is   located.     The    lake   was   named    because    of   the   "pelicans" 
(Pelican   orythrornynchus)    that    abounds    on    the    lake    every    fall.       That 
an  Indian  Chief  who  lived  on  the  lake,  carried  the  same  name  in  the  In- 
dian tongue    that    the  lake  did,    is    doubtless  a    legend  only,  as  no  such 
Indian  name  can  be  found. 
Pence.  Iron  County,  Wisconsin,  was  platted  1890  by  the  Milwaukee,  Lake  Shore 
and  Western  Railway  and  named  for  Mr.  Pence  of  Pence  and  Snyder  of 
Minneapolis,  Minnesota,  who  were  early  mine  operators  here. 
Pensaukee,  Oconto  County,  Wisconsin,  is  a  corruption  of  the  Ojibway  (Chippe- 
wa)   Indian  word   pindjsagi,  meaning  "inside   the  mouth  of  a   river."     It 
was  named  by  F.  B.  Gardner,  the  original  owner  of  the  town  site. 
Pentoga,  Iron  County,  Michigan,  was  named  by  parties  operating  a  mill  here. 

The  name  was  manufactured  and  has  no  meaning. 
Peoria,  Peoria  County,  Illinois,  is  a  corrupted  form  of  an  Indian  tribal  name 
signifying  "carriers"  or  "packers."     Its  earliest  name  of  the  town  seems 
to  have  been  La  Ville  de  Maillet,  and  afterwards  was  called  Fort  Clark. 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line  113 


Fort  Creve  Couer  of  LaSalle  and  Tonti,  was  located  here  or  near  here.  The 
city  is  on  the  Illinois  river  which  was  discovered  by  Robert  Cavalier,  Sieuer 
de  La  Salle  in  1670. 

Perkins,  Delta  County,  Michigan,  was  named  for  Josiah  Perkins,  the  earliest 
settler  here. 

Perronville,  Menominee  County,  Michigan,  was  named  for  M.  Perron,  a  "job- 
ber" and  trader  at  this  point. 

Peshtigo,  Marinette  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  the  river.  The  word 
is  Indian  and  means — ' '  wild  goose  river. ' ' 

Petersburg,  Boone  County,  Nebraska,  was  laid  out  in  1887  by  the  Pioneer  Town 
Site  Company,  and  was  named  for  John  Peters  of  Albion,  Nebraska,  who 
was  United  States  Collector  of  Internal  Revenue,  and  who  owned  the  land 
on  which  the  town  site  was  located. 

Peterson,  Clay  County,  Iowa,  was  named  for  Adlie  Peterson,  the  original  owner 
of  the  town  site.  The  town  was  laid  out  in  1881  by  the  Western  Town  Lot 
Company. 

Peterson  Avenue,  Cook  County,  Illinois.  The  avenue  on  which  this  station  was 
established,  was  named  for  P.  S.  Peterson,  a  prominent  tree  grower,  whose 
nursery  was  on  this  street.     The  station  was  named  from  the  street. 

Petersville,  Clinton  County,  Iowa,  was  named  from  the  family  of  John  Peters, 
who  early  settled  in  the  vicinity.  The  town  was  once  called  Quigley,  for 
the  once  owner  of  the  land  on  which  the  railroad  station  is  located. 

Peterson's,  Delta  County,  Michigan,  was  named  for  Atle  Peterson,  a  farmer  of 
the  vicinity. 

Piedmont,  Meade  County,  South  Dakota,  was  laid  out  in  1890  by  Captain  C.  V. 
Gardner  of  the  Spring  Valley  ranch.  It  was  named  from  its  position  at  the 
foot  (base)  of  a  mountain,  by  Captain  Gardner  who  owned  a  nearby  ranch. 

Pierce,  Pierce  County,  Nebraska,  was  named  from  the  county,  which  was  named 
for  Franklin  Pierce,  once  president  of  the  United  States. 

Pierre,  Hughes  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  from  the  old  American  Fur 
and  Trading  Company's  post,  Fort  Pierre,  which  was  opposite  on  the  west 
bank  of  the  Missouri  River.  That  was  named  in  honor  of  Pierre  Choteau, 
Jr.,  of  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  who  was  for  many  years  interested  in  the  fur 
trade  with  the  western  Indians.  The  town  was  platted  in  1880  by  the 
Western  Town  Lot  Company.  See  Fort  Pierre  in  this  book  for  a  more 
lengthy  mention  of  Fort  Pierre. 

Pa::ton,  Redwood  County,  Minnesota.  Paxton  was  named  from  the  translitera- 
tion of  an  Indian  word.    It  means  "standing"  or  "dead  water." 

Phillip,  Stanley  County,  South  Dakota.  Was  named  for  James  (Scotty)  Phillip, 
a  Scotchman  from  Morayshire,  Scotland;  ex-Senator  for  the  Twenty-fifth 
Senatorial  District  of  South  Dakota;  was  a  ranchman,  stock  dealer  and 
raiser,  and  has  a  herd  of  one  hundred  buffalo  (Bos  Americana)  six  miles 
north  of  Fort  Pierre.  He  has  been  on  "the  plains"  since  he  was  sixteen 
years  old,  and  was  a  cowboy  and  pioneer  in  the  Black  Hills.  He  was  in  the 
service  of  the  United  States  Quartermaster's  Department,  and  has  been  a 
banker,  merchant,  county  commissioner  and  real  estate  agent. 

Pierson,  Woodbury  County,  Iowa.  The  town  was  named  for  Andrew  Pierson, 
an  early  settler  of  the  vicinity.  His  name  was  also  given  to  a  tributary 
of  the  Sioux  River  that  heads  near  this  place. 


114  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 

Pilgwi,  Stanton  County,  Nebraska,  was  laid  out  in  1886  by  the  Pioneer  Town 

Site  Company  and  was  named  for  Adam  Pilger,  the  owner  of  the  land  on 

which  the  town  was  platted. 
Pine  Creek,  Trempeleau  County,   Wisconsin.     The   town  was  named   from  the 

stream  it  is  located  on.     That  was  so  named  because  of  the  numerous  white 

pine  trees  that  were  found  along  its  banks  when  the  whites  first  settled 

there. 
Pine  Island,  Goodhue  County,  Minnesota.     The  village  was  named  in  1855  by 

Moses  Jewell  an  early  settler,  from  the  fact  that  when  he  came  here  he 

found  a  small  island  with  a  solitary  large  white  pine  tree  growing  on  it. 
Pine  Ridge,  Delta  County,  Michigan.    The  place  was  named  Pine  Ridge  because 

it  ifi  located  in  a  pine  forest  that  grew  on  a  high  ridge  of  land. 
Pisgah,  Harrison  County,  Iowa,  was  laid  out  in  1899  by  the  Western  Town  Lot 

Company  and  was  named  from  the  mountain  in  Palestine  that  is  mentioned 

in  the  Bible.    It  was  named  by  the  Mormons  during  their  hejira. 
Plains,  Marquette  County,  Michigan.     The  place  was  named  from   the  barren 

sand  plains  that  surround  the  town  site. 
Plainview,   Wabasha   County,   Minnesota.     Its  earliest  name  was   Centerville. 

In  1856  the  present  name  was  substituted,  because  the  town  was  located 

on  a  high  prairie,  from  which  the  country  was  for  many  miles  in  "plain 

view"  (sight.) 
Plainview,  Pierce  County,  Nebraska.     This  village  was  laid  out  in  1880  by  the 

Pioneer  Town  Site  Company  and  was  named  from  the  fact  that  it  wag  in 

plain  view  from  all  sides  for  many  miles. 
Planks,  Olmsted  County,  Minnesota.     The  village  was  named  i"rom  the  name  of 

a  "country  tavern"  that  in  an  early  day  was  kept  here  by  John  A.  Planks. 
Platteville,  Grant  County,  Wisconsin.    Platteville  was  named  by  John  H.  Roun- 

tree,  the  original  owner  of  the  town  site,  from  a  nearby  stream,  that  the 

French    called    plate    meaning    "dull,"    "flat,"    "shallow,"    a    term    they 

thought  applicable  to  the  stream. 
Platte    River,    Saunders    County.    Nebraska.        This    station    was    named    from 

the  river.    That  from  the  French  plate,  meaning  ' '  dull, "  "  shallow, "  "  flat, ' ' 

a  term  singularly  applicable  to  this  river  as  it  is  wide  and  very  shallow. 
Pleasant  Prairie,  Kenosha  County,  Wisconsin.     The  place  was  named  from  the 

township,   and   that   was   given   as   a   descriptive   name   suggestive   of   the 

locality. 
Plum   Creek,  Kossuth   County,  Iowa.     The  village  was   named  from   a  nearby 

stream;  that  was  named  from  the  fact  that  its  banks  were  thickly  covered 

with  wild  plum  trees. 
Plymouth,  Sheboygan  County,  Wisconsin.     This  village  was  earned  in  1845  by 

II.  P.  Davidson,  from  Plymouth,  Massachusetts,  whence  ne  had  emigrated. 

At  an  earlier  day  it  was  called  Springfield. 
Polk  City,  Polk  County,  Iowa,  was  named  from  the  county.     The  county  was 

named  for  ex-President  James  K.  Polk. 
Poplar  Grove,  Boone  County,  Illinois,  was  named  in  1845,  from  the  fact  that 

the  first  building  here  erected  was  in  a  large  grove  of  "poplar"   (Populus 

monilifera)  trees. 
Port  Edwards,   Wood   County,   Wisconsin.     Port  Edwards  was   named   from   a 

boat  landing  on  the  nearby  Wisconsin  River.     The  landing  was  owned  by 

Jonathan  Edwards,  an  early  settler  who  operated  a  ferry  here. 


HlSTOKY   OF   THE    PLACE   NAMES    OF    THE    NORTH    WESTERN    LlNE  115 


Porter,  Yellow  Medicine  County,  Minnesota.  Its  earlier  name  was  Harsted. 
When  that  was  dropped  it  was  named  for  L.  C.  Porter,  an  early  settler  and 
mill  owner  of  Minnesota.  It  was  platted  by  the  Winona  and  St.  Peter 
Railroad  Company  in  1881.  It  was  at  one  time  called  Lone  Tree  from  a 
single  large  elm  tree  that  grew  nearby. 

Portland  Junction,  Lawrence  County,  South  Dakota.  This  name  merely  indi- 
cates a  point  that  is  shown  on  the  timetable  of  the  road.  The  name  has  no 
historical  significance,  as  it  is  nearby  a  railroad  junction  point  in  the 
mining  country  around  Dead  wood.  It  was  named  from  the  nearby  Portland 
gold  mine. 

Portland,  Lawrence  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  from  a  nearby  gold 
mine.  The  mine  was  named  from  the  city  in  Maine,  the  old  home  of  one 
of  the  principal  owners  of  the  mine. 

Port  Washington,  Ozaukee  County,  Wisconsin.  This  place  was  named  for 
George  Washington.  The  original  name  of  the  place  was  Wisconsin  City, 
and  was  given  it  in  1835  by  "General"  Wooster  Harrison?  It  was  then 
changed  to  Washington  City.  In  1844  this  name  was  changed  by  George 
C  Daniels  to  Port  Washington,  and  has  retained  it  to  the  present  time. 

Powell,  Iron  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  Major  J.  W.  Powell,  once  of 
Illinois,  the  geologist  and  explorer. 

Powder  River,  Natrona  County,  Wyoming.  This  village  was  named  from  Pow- 
der River.  The  river  was  named  from  the  dark  powder  like  sand  that  was 
found  along  its  banks. 

Powers,  Menominee  County,  Michigan,  was  named  for  Edward  Powers,  a  civil 
engineer  engaged  in  constructing  the  railroad  here.  He  afterwards  became 
notorious  as  a  professed  "rain  maker."  At  an  early  date  the  place  was 
called  Menominee  River  Junction,  because  here  was  the  junction  between 
the  main  line,  and  the  Menominee  River  Branch. 

Proviso,  Du  Page  County,  Illinois.  This  name  was  taken  from  the  Wilmot's 
proviso  celebrated  in  the  political  history  of  the  United  States.  When  the 
bill  for  the  purchase  of  a  portion  of  Mexico  was  before  congress  in  1846 
David  Wilmot  introduced  an  amendment  to  the  bill  to  the  effect  that  slav- 
ery should  forever  be  prohibited  in  the  territory  in  question.  He  proposed 
to  make  that  a  stipulated  condition  and  that  condition  received  the  name 
of  Wilmot's  proviso. 

Preparation,  Monona  County,  Iowa.  A  settlement  was  made  at  this  place  about 
1858  by  a  body  of  seceders  from  the  Mormon  church,  under  the  lead  of  one 
Charles  B.  Thompson,  who  styled  himself  the  Chief  Apostolic  Pastor  and 
Evangelical  Bishop.  They  called  themselves  Conjeprezites,  and  the  relig- 
ious order  Conjprezon.  They  believed  that  the  Bible  had  in  a  measure  been 
done  away  with,  by  new  revelations  made  by  the  voice  of  Baneemy, 
through  the  medium  of  the  Chief  Apostolic  Bishop.  This  place  had  at  one 
time  a  population  of  some  six  or  eight  hundred,  but  they  finally  got 
into  difficulties  over  the  ownership  of  the  property,  and  the  organization 
broke  up.  As  they  believed  their  existence  in  this  world  was  only  a 
preparation  for  the  world  to  come,  they  named  their  town  Preparation. 
The  old  town  was  abandoned  and  a  new  town  laid  out  by  the  Western 
Town  Lot  Company  in  1899  and  given  the  old  name. 

Preston,  Grant  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  Mathcw  Preston,  who  settled 
here  in  1850.  It  is  located  between  Montford  Junction  and  Lancaster  Junction 
on  the  railroad  that  runs  from  Madison  to  Woodman  on  the  Wisconsin  River. 


llt>  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 

Princeton,  Green  Lake  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  by  K.  C.  Treat,  from 
Princeton,  Worcester  County  Massachusetts,  which  was  named  for  Rev. 
Thomas  Prince,  pastor  of  the  Old  South  Church,  Boston,  Mass. 

Pulaski,  Brown  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  the  Polish  patriot,  Count 
Casimer  Pulaski,  who  was  a  friend  of  the  Americans  in  the  Revolutionary 
War. 

Quarry,  Marshall  County,  Iowa,  was  named  by  Isaac  B.  Howe,  from  a  nearby 
quarry. 

Quinnesec,  Dickinson  County,  Michigan.  Quinnesec  is  an  Indian  word  meaning 
"where  the  river  forms  smoke,"  and  was  given  to  this  village  from  the 
falls  in  the  Quinnesec  River  at  this  point.  It  was  named  by  John  L.  Buell. 
The  Indian  word  was  pronounced  as  it  is  spelled,  be-quen-se-nec. 

Quinn,  Pennington  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  for  Michael  Quinn,  a 
prominent  "ranch  man"  of  the  vicinity. 

Racine,  Racine  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  in  1834  by  Captain  Gilbert 
Knapp,  the  founder,  for  Racine,  the  French  writer,  and  also  because  the 
word  is  French  for  "root,"  which  was  the  meaning  of  the  words  the  Indians 
applied  to  the  river  Racine  is  on.  In  an  early  day  this  town  was  called  Port 
Gilbert  and  Northport. 

Racine  Junction,  Racine  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  its  relation  to 
the  city  of  Racine,  it  being  a  junction  of  two  railroads  that  cross  each  other 
near  that  city. 

Radcliffe,  Hardin  County,  Iowa,  was  laid  out  in  1884  by  the  Western  Town  Lot 
Company.  It  was  named  from  a  part  of  the  name  of  a  celebrated  old  novel 
—"The  Heir  of  Radcliffe." 

Radford,  Ontonagon  County,  Michigan,  was  named  by  Stephen  Radford  for  the 
Radford  family,  who  were  large  timber  owners  around  Oshkosh,  Wis. 

Radnor,  Peoria  County,  Illinois,  was  named  for  the  township  the  village  is 
in,  and  that  was  named  from  Radnor,  a  village  in  Delaware  County,  Penn- 
sylvania, which  was  named  from  a  town  in  Wales. 

Ralston,  Carroll  County,  Iowa,  was  named  for  W.  C.  Ralston,  of  California,  who 
was  much  in  the  eyes  of  the  world  when  this  place  was  established. 

Ramsey,  Gogebic  County,  Michigan,  was  named  for  Honorable  Alexander  Ram- 
say, war  governor  and  afterwards  United  States  Senator  for  Minnesota. 

Randall,  Hamilton  County,  Iowa,  was  named  for  Samuel  J.  Randall,  the  well 
known  politician  and  ex-secretary  of  the  United  States  Treasury. 

Rapid  City,  Pennington  County,  South  Dakota.  The  part  around  the  railroad 
station  was  laid  out  by  the  Pioneer  Town  Site  Company  in  1887.  The  older 
part  of  the  town  was  named  on  February  25,  1876,  by  John  R.  Brennan.  The 
name  was  taken  from  the  rapid  creek  that  ran  through  the  location.  It 
was  named  by  the  trappers  and  hunters  from  many  "rapids"  in  the  stream. 
As  the  town  was  expected  to  make  a  rapid  growth,  it  was  thought  that  the 
name  would  be  appropriate  for  the  town. 

Ravenswood,  Cook  County,  Illinois.  The  name  was  formed  by  prefacing  the 
name  (Wood)  of  the  original  owner  of  the  land  by  the  word  "ravens"  and 
that  was  suggested  by  the  thousands  of  crows  (ravens)  that  formerly  made 
their  home  near  here. 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line  11? 


Ravinia,  Lake  County,  Illinois.  Eavinia  is  a  transliteration  of  the  word 
"ravine,"  and  was  sugested  by  the  many  ravines  that  are  near  this  place. 

Rawhide,  Washington  County,  Nebraska,  was  named  from  Rawhide  Creek.  The 
creek  was  named  from  the  fact  that  a  man  was  flayed  upon  its  banks  by  a 
party  of  Pawnee  Indians. 

Raymond,  Clark  County,  South  Dakota.  The  place  was  named  for  J.  M.  Ray- 
mond, one  of  the  engineers  engaged  in  building  the  railroad  through  the 
place.    It  was  laid  out  in  1883  by  the  Western  Town  Lot  Company. 

Redfield,  Spink  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  for  J.  B.  Redfield,  one  of  the 
oldest  and  most  valued  officers  of  the  Chicago  and  Northwestern  Railway 
Company.  The  town  was  laid  out  in  1880  by  the  Western  Town  Lot  Com- 
pany. 

Red  Granite.  Waushara  County,  Wisconsin.  The  town  was  named  because  of  the 
presence  of  much  red  colored  granite  (rock)  in  the  vicinity. 

Redwood  Falls,  Redwood  County,  Minnesota.  The  place  was  named  from  the 
falls  in  the  Redwood  River,  the  name  of  the  river  is  a  translation  of  the 
Dakota  (Sioux)  name  referring  to  the  abundant  growth  along  the  river  of 
the  "cornel"  (Cornus  amonum)    (Kinnikinick)  a  bush  with  a  red  bark. 

Reeclsburg,  Sauk  County,  Wisconsin.  Reedsburg  was  named  for  D.  C.  Reed,  one 
of  the  earliest  settlers,  and  who,  in  1847,  built  the  first  mill  in  the  place. 

Reedville,  Manitowoc  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  George  Reed,  a  prom- 
inent citizen  of  Wisconsin,  who  was  chief  projector  in  building  the  railroad 
through  this  country. 

Ree  Heights,  Hand  County,  South  Dakota.  This  village  was  named  from  the 
nearby  Ree  hills.  These  were  named  for  the  last  syllable  in  the  name  of 
the  Ari-Jcaree  (Ree)  Indians,  who,  in  an  early  day,  frequented  these  parts. 
The  Indian  word  refers  to  "horn."  The  Ree  Indians  occupied  these  hills 
in  spite  of  the  Sioux.  The  village  was  once  called  Bramhall.  These  "Ree" 
Indians  were  allied  to  the  Pawnees  and  the  Wichitas,  who  lived  west  of  the 
Missouri  River  and  south  of  the  present  limits  of  South  Dakota.  The  name 
was  spelled  Arickaree,  Aricaree,  Biccaree,  and  as  above.  The  common 
appellation  among  the  traders  was  "Ree." 

Renwick.  Humboldt  County,  Iowa,  was  named  by  Frank  and  Smith,  the  orig 
inal  owners  of  the  land.     The  name  is  merely  a  fanciful  one  and  has  no 
significance.    The  town  was  laid  out  in  1882  by  the  Western  Town  Lot  Com- 
pany. 

Republic,  Marquette  County,  Michigan.     Was  named  by  and  for  the  Republic 
Iron  Company  that  had  large  iron  ore  mining  works  here.     Originally  it 
was  called  Smith's  mine,  for  the  prospector  who  discovered  the  first  iron 
ore  here. 

Revere,  Redwood  County,  Minnesota,  was  named  by  C.  C.  Wheeler  in  honor  of 
Paul  Revere  of  Revolutionary  fame.  It  was  platted  by  the  Winona  and  St. 
Peter  Railroad  Company  in  1886. 

Rewey,  Iowa  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  J.  W.  Rewey,  the  original  owner 
of  the  town  site. 

Rhinelander,  Oneida  County  Wisconsin,  was  named  in  honor  of  F.  W.  Rhine- 
lander,  of  New  York  City,  who  was  for  many  years  the  president  of  the 
company  that  built  the  road  through  this  place.  It  was  platted  in  1S82  by 
the  Milwaukee,  Lake  Shore  and  Western  Railway. 


118  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 


Rhodes,  Trempeleau  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  the  owner  of  the  land  on 
which  the  village  is  located. 

Richmond,  McHenry  County,  Illinois,  was  in  1844  named  by  C.  G.  Cotting  from 
Richmond,  Vermont,  whence  he  emigrated. 

Ricketts,  Crawford  County,  Iowa,  was  laid  out  by  the  Western  Town  Lot  Com 
pany  in  1899  and  named  for  an  early  settler. 

Richards.  Fremont  County,  Wyoming,  was  named  for  W.  A.  Richards,  United 
States  Indian  Commissioner,  Washington,  D.  C. 

Ridgefield,  McHenry  County,  Illinois,  was  named  by  J.  R.  Mack  on  account  of 
ridges  nearby. 

Ridgeland,  Cook  County,  Illinois.  When  laid  out,  the  ground  around  the  town 
site  was  flooded  and  one  of  the  proprietors  suggested  that  what  was  needed 
here  more  than  anything  else,  was  a  ridge  of  land  on  which  to  put  the  rail- 
road buildings.    This  fancy  was  accepted  as  a  name  for  the  village. 

Ridgeway,  Iowa  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  the  township,  and  that  was 
named  because  of  the  many  ridges  that  ran  through  it. 

Ridott,  Stephenson  County,  Illinois.  The  earliest  name  was  Cochranville.  In 
3863  it  was  named  Ridott  from  the  township  in  which  it  was  located.  The 
township  was  named  for  an  early  settler. 

Riley's,  Dane  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  by  Wiliam  Riley,  for  the  Riley 
Brothers,  owners  of  the  original  town  site.  Originally  the  town  was  called 
Sugar  River  from  a  nearby  stream. 

Ringle,  Marathon  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  John  R.  Ringle,  of  Wausau, 
Wisconsin,  because  he  was  a  very  large  land  owner  in  the  vicinity  when  the 
town  was  established.  He  was  also  editor  of  an  influential  Wausau,  Wiscon- 
sin, newspaper. 

Ringwood,  McHenry  County,  Illinois.  There  are  two  traditions  as  to  this  name; 
one  is,  that  it  was  named  by  Mrs.  John  E.  Gray,  from  the  fact  that  the  town 
was  established  on  a  small  prairie,  entirely  surrounded  by  a  ring  of 
"woods"  (a  forest).  The  other  is,  that  it  was  named  by  the  Misses  Rey- 
nolds, daughters  of  Judge  Reynolds,  the  first  settler,  from  Ringwood  Park, 
in  England. 

Ringsted,  Emmet  County,  Iowa.  Was  laid  out  in  1899  by  the  Western  Town 
Lot  Company,  and  was  named  by  Mrs.  John  Larson  in  honor  of  her  old 
home  in  Denmark.  ' 

River/ton,  Fremont  County,  Wyoming.  This  town  was  platted  under  the  United 
States  Town  Site  Law,  and  was  named  Wadsworth  in  honor  of  H.  E.  Wads- 
worth,  the  local  Indian  agent.  This  name  was  changed  to  Riverton,  as  it 
was  thought  to  be  significant  of  the  location  of  the  place,  a  town  on  the 
bank  of  a  river — the  Big  Horn.  The  town  site  is  really  one  mile  from  this 
river. 

Ripon,  Fond  du  Lac  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  in  1850  from  a  town  in 
England,  by  John  S.  Homer,  whose  ancestors  emigrated  from  that  place. 
Here  in  1844,  Warren  Chase,  of  Kenosha,  Wisconsin,  established  a  Four- 
ierite  "phalanx"  and  called  it  "Ceresco"  from  Ceres  the  Goddess  of  Agri- 
culture.   The  colony  was  disbanded  in  1850  and  thus  passed  into  history. 

River  Forest,  Cook  County,  Illinois,  was  named  Thatcher  for  David  C.  Thatcher, 
an  early  settler,  after  it  had  carried  the  name  "Des  Plaines  River"  as  its 
railroad  station.     In  1872,  it  was  given  its  present  name,  because  it  was  a 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line  ll'J 

village  in  a  forest  alongside  of  a  river.    "Who  made  this  name  is  in  dispute 
and  will  never  be  positively  known. 
Eib  River,  Marathon  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  the  nearby  river.  The 

name  is  a  transliteration  of  the  Indian  name  of  the  river. 
Russell,  Lyman  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  for  J.  C.  Russell,  of  Midland, 

South  Dakota,  and  who  furnished  the  land  for  the  town  site  of  Midland. 
Elver  Sioux,  Harrison  County,   Iowa.     This  place  was  named  from  the  Little 
Sioux  River,  on  which  it  is  located.     The  river  was  named  from  the  Sioux 
(Dakota)  tribe  of  Indians,  that  formerly  ranged  and  hunted  on  this  stream. 
Robbius,  Ontonagon  County,  Michigan,  was  named  for  F.  S.  Robbins,  of  Rhine- 
lander,  a  prominent  mill  man,  and  who  once  operated  a  saw  mill  here. 
Rochelle,  Ogle  County,  Illinois.       Its  first  name  was  Lane,  and  it  was  named  for 
a  family  by  that  name.     In  1865  it  was  changed  to  its  present  form,  from 
Rochelle,  in  France. 
Rock,  Rock  County,  Nebraska,  wa8  named  from  the  county  and  that  on  account 

of  the  reeky  character  of  the  soil  in  parte  of  the  county. 
Rochester,  O'msted  County,  Minnesota,  was  named  from  Rochester,  New  York, 
and  that  was  named  from  Colonel  Nathaniel  Rochester,  its  senior  proprietor. 
Rockfield.  Washington  County,  Wisconsin.     Its  earliest  name  was  Germantown, 
and  it  was  so  named  from  the  many  Germans  settled  nearby.     The  present 
name  came  from  the  fact  that  there  were  many  curiously  marked  rocks  in 
a  nearby  field. 
Rockford,  "Winnebago  County,  Illinois,  was  so  named  because  it  was  at  a  very 
rocky  ford  on  Rock  River.     In  a  very  early  day  the  place  was  called  Mid- 
way, as  it  was  about  half  way  between  Chicago  and  Galena,  Illinois. 
Rockham,  Faulk  County,  South  Dakota.    The  town  site  was  named  from  a  place 
in  Australia,  it  being  an  elision  of  the  name  Rockhampton.     It  was  laid  out 
in  1886  by  the  "Western  Town  Lot  Company. 
Rock  Island  Junction,  "Whiteside  County,  Illinois,  was  so  named  when  a  mere 
junction  point  of  the  Rockford,  Rock  Island  and  St.  Louis  Railroad  and  the 
North  "Western  Line.  "When  the  place  became  a  town  the  railroad  appellation 
was  not  disturbed. 
Rockland,  La  Crosse  County,  "Wisconsin.     The  original  name  of  the  post  office 
was  Fish  Creek.     When   renamed,   it   took  its  name  from  the   rocky   land 
around  it. 
Rogers  Park,  Cook  County,  Illinois,  was  named  for  Phillip  Rogers,  the  original 

owner  of  the  town  site. 
Rolfe,  Pocahontas  County,  Iowa.     The  original  name  was  Pocahontas  and  was 
named  for  the  Virginian  Powhatan  Indian  woman,  who  the  traditions  of 
early  Virginia  allege  saved  the  life  of  Captain  John  Smith.    When  the  first 
name  was  changed,  the  present  name  was  adopted.     Rolf  was  the  name  of 
the  soldier  who  abducted  the  so-called  Pocahontas  and  carried  her  off  with 
him  "across  the  sea."    The  town  was  laid  out  in  1859. 
Rollo,  De  Kalb  County,  Illinois,  was  named  from  the  Rollo  books,  a  series  of 
children's  books  that  once  were  very  popular.     The  word  is  a  corruption  of 
Raleigh,  one  of  the  noted  names  of  English  and  Virginian  history. 
Roscoe,  Winnebago  County,  Illinois,  was  named  from  the  township,  which  was 

named  by  Ralph  Abell  for  William  Roscoe,  the  English  "historian. 
Rose  Hill,  Cook  County,  Illinois.    The  earliest  name  of  the  post  office  was  Have- 
lock;  when  a  settlement  grew  around  the  postoffice,  it  was  called  Chitenden, 


1-0  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 


for  an  early  settler.  When  the  village  was  formed,  the  present  name  was 
given  it  because  of  the  many  wild  roses  that  grew  on  the  adjacent  hills. 

Rosendale,  Fond  du  Lac  County,  Wisconsin,  was  so  named  because  when  located 
the  town  site  was  a  mass  of  wild  rose  bushes.  The  name  is  a  combination  of 
the  German  "rosen"  for  rose,  and  the  English  "dale." 

Eosholt,  Portage  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  John  Eosholt,  the  pioneer  of 
this  district. 

Eoss,  Audubon  County,  Iowa,  was  named  for  a  nearby  farmer.  It  was  laid  out 
by  the  Western  Town  Lot  Company  in  1882. 

Eosseau,  Hughes  County,  South  Dakota.  This  place  was  named  for  an  early 
French  trading  family.  The  name  is  from  the  French  Roseau,  meaning 
a  "reed"  or  a  "rush."  In  the  northwest  it  seems  first  to  have  been  applied 
to  a  stream  somewhere  in  Minnesota,  that  was  nearly  obscured  by  rushes,  or 
coarse  water  grasses.  There  were  three  brothers  Eosseau  located  on  the 
Missouri  River  near  this  station.  Another  brother  was  the  Catholic  Bishop 
of  Quebec.  All  the  brothers  were  educated  and  refined  gentlemen,  and  as 
a  rule  associated  with  the  whites,  but  in  other  respects,  they  lived  and  died 
in  Indian  ways. 

Eoss,  Vilas  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  John  D.  Eoss,  an  early  lumber  mill 
operator  of  this  county. 

Eoss,  Waseca  County,  Minnesota,  was  named  for  Ross  Redfield,  who  lived 
nearby. 

Eound  Grove,  Whiteside  County,  Illinois,  was  named  for  a  large  round  grove 
that  was  near  the  site  of  the  original  town. 

Eowena,  Redwood  County,  Minnesota,  was  laid  out  by  the  Western  Town  Lot 
Company  in  1902,  and  was  named  from  a  character  in  a  once  very  noted 
novel. 

Eoxby,  Cherry  County,  Nebraska.  This  name  is  a  elision  of  Roxbury,  and  was 
taken  from  Roxbury  Station,  Littlefield  County,  Conn. 

Eubens,  Pocahontas  County,  Iowa,  was  named  for  Peter  Paul  Rubens,  the 
German  painter  of  "Flemish  pictures." 

Euby  Basin,  Lawrence  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  from  a  "basin" 
in  the  Black  Hills  near  Deadwood,  from  the  fact  that  in  it  many  rubies 
are  found. 

Eudolph,  Brown  County,  South  Dakota.  This  place  was  named  by  C.  E.  Sim- 
mons for  H.  Rudolph  McCullough,  one  of  the  officers  of  the  Chicago  and 
Northwestern  Railway  Company.  The  town  was  laid  out  in  1881  by  the 
Western  Town  Lot  Company. 

Eummele,  Vilas  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  E.  H.  Eummele,  for  a  long 
time  chief  engineer  of  the  Milwaukee.  Lake  Shore  and  Western  Eailroad. 

Eushville,  Sheridan  County,  Nebraska,  was  laid  out  in  1888  by  the  Pioneer  Town 
Site  Company  and  was  named  because  of  its  location  at  the  head  of  Bush 
Creek.  The  creek  was  named  because  of  the  great  quantity  of  rushes 
(Typha  latifolia)  that  grew  upon  it,  when  it  was  first  seen  by  the  early 
settlers. 

Eutland,  Humboldt  County,  Iowa,  was  named  by  H.  G.  Bicknell,  the  originator 
of  the  town,  from  Rutland  Vermont,  because  there  were  many  around  thig 
location  who  had  moved  from  that  state.  The  town  was  laid  out  in  1882 
by  the  Western  Town  Lot  Company. 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line  121 


Sac  City,  Sac  County,  Iowa.  Sac  City  was  named  from  the  county  and  that  was 
named  for  the  Indian  tribe.  The  name  refers  to  "yellow  earth,"  the 
proper  form  being  Osaukee. 

St.  Charles,  Kane  County,  Illinois.  Was  named  Charleston  by  Ira  Minard,  an 
early  settler,  from  Charleston,  his  birthplace,  in  New  Hampshire.  In  1S36, 
when  the  first  postoffice  was  established  here,  the  name  was  changed  to 
prevent  confusion  in  the  mails,  as  there  was  another  Charleston  in  Illinois. 

St.  Charles,  Winona  County,  Minnesota,  was  named  in  1853  by  L.  H.  Springer 
from  St.  Charles,  Illinois,  whence  he  had  emigrated. 

St.  Charles,  Gregory  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  Hampton  by  Charles  A. 
Johnson,  president  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Fairfax,  South  Dakota, 
who  donated  the  land  for  the  town  site,  but  the  general  postoffice  depart- 
ment objected  to  that  name  and  then  St.  Charles  was  adopted.  It  is  based 
on  Mr.  Johnson's  first  name — Charles,  and  "St."  was  added  for  euphony. 

St.  Cloud,  Fond  du  Lac  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  by  Benert  Moesch,  the 
original  owner  of  the  town  site,  from  the  place  in  France. 

St  Francis,  Milwaukee  County,  Wisconsin.  The  original  and  Indian  name  of 
this  place  was  No-gos-hing  from  nodaway,  meaning  "enemies"  or 
"snakes."  Its  present  name  was  given  by  Bev.  Joseph  Salzman,  D.D., 
president  of  the  Seminary  of  St.  Francis  de  Sales,  opened  in  1856  and 
which  is  located  here.  The  Seminary  was  named  in  honor  of  St.  Francis 
de  Sales,  Bishop  of  Geneva,  Switzerland,  who  died  in  1622,  by  the  Bev. 
Father  Henni,  first  Bishop  and  first  Archbishop  of  Milwaukee. 

Stella  Junction,  Oneida  County,  Wisconsin.  This  name  merely  indicates  a 
point  that  is  shown  on  the  time  table  of  the  road.  The  name  has  no 
historical  significance.  A  few  miles  west  of  the  junction  is  a  village  called 
Stella  which  was  named  for  Dean  Jonathan  Swift's  "Stella,"  the  lady 
he  immortalized  in  his  writings. 

State  Line,  Winnebago  County,  Iowa.  This  name  merely  indicates  a  point  that 
is  shown  on  the  time  table  of  the  road.  The  name  has  no  historical  signifi- 
cance. It  is  on  the  line  between  the  states  of  Iowa  and  Minnesota  and 
that  fact  gave  it  this  name. 

St.  Lawrence,  Hand  County,  South  Dakota.  The  original  name  of  this  place 
was  Bex  (King)  for  J.  M.  King,  an  early  settler.  Iti  present  name  was 
given  by  Don  H.  Porter,  from  the  county  and  river  in  New  York,  and  these 
were  named  from  the  gulf.  The  gulf  was  so  named  because  it  was  dis- 
covered upon  the  feastday  of  the  saint. 

St.  Lawrence,  Marquette  County,  Michigan,  was  named  from  the  river  St. 
Lawrence,  and  that  was  so  named  from  the  gulf,  and  the  gulf  was  so 
named  because  it  was  discovered  upon  the  feastday  of  St.  Lawrence. 

Shennington,  Monroe  County,  Wisconsin,  was  founded  by  and  named  for  and 
by  Fred.  H.  Shennington,  of  Silver  Lake,  Kenosha  County,  Wisconsin, 
who  started  the  first  store  in  the  village  he  had  platted. 

Soperton,  Forest  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  the  Soper  Lumber  Com- 
pany, that  had  interests  here  when  the  town  was  located. 

St.  Marie.  Green  Lake  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  a  nearby  church, 
which  was  named  for  the  saint. 

St.  Mary's  Miner  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  for  Mary  the  daughter 
of  Dr.  Louis  Gotthelf,  the  original  owner  of  the  town  site.     For  euphony. 


122  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 

he  prefixed  the  "St."  It  was  laid  out  in  1886  by  the  Western  Town  Lot 
Company. 

St.  Onge,  Lawrence  County,  South  Dakota.  This  place  was  named  for  Henry 
St.  Onge,  a  pioneer  here.  It  was  laid  out  in  1891.  A  nearby  mission  church 
was  also  named  for  Mr.  St.  Onge. 

St.  Peter,  Nicollet  County,  Minnesota.  The  town  was  named  by  the  Winona 
and  St.  Peter  Company  from  the  river  on  which  it  is  located.  The  river 
was  named  for  Pierre  (Peter)  Charles  LaSuerer,  a  French  explorer,  who 
is  believed  to  have  been  the  first  white  man  to  navigate  this  stream.  He 
was  on  it  as  early  as  1689.  Rocky  Point  was  the  first  name  given  by  th« 
white  settlers  to  this  location. 

St.  Rose,  Grant  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  a  nearby  Catholic  church. 

Salem,  McCook  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  by  J.  H.  Brown,  on  the 
suggestion  of  E.  F.  Drake,  from  the  city  in  Massachusetts.  The  town 
around  the  station  was  laid  out  in  1889  by  the  Western  Town  Lot  Com- 
pany. Salem  is  a  Hebrew  word  meaning  "peace,"  and  was  applied  to  the 
Massachusetts  city  by  the  earliest  settlers  in  the  hope  of  finding  there  the 
peace  and  security  they  had  not  found  in  Europe  whence  they  had 
emigrated. 

Salem,  Kenosha  County,  Wisconsin,  was  nemed  from  the  city  in  Massachusetts 
by  John  Cogswell,  who  had  emigrated  therefrom.  Salem  is  Hebrew  for 
"peace"  and  was  applied  to  the  Massachusetts  city  by  the  earliest  settlers, 
in  the  hope  that  they  would  find  that  peace  and  security  there  which  they 
had  not  found  in  England. 

Salix,  Woodbury  County,  Iowa,  was  named  Salix  from  the  botanical  name  for 
the  willow,  because  there  were  many  willows  growing  nearby  when  the 
town  was  established. 

Sanborn,  Kedwood  County,  Minnesota,  was  named  for  Sherburn  Sanborn,  now 
(1907)  of  Milwaukee,  Wis,  but  for  many  years,  an  officer  of  the  Chicago 
&  North  Western  railway  company. 

Sandhurst,  Ontonagon  County,  Michigan.  This  is  a  fancy  name  built  up  from 
the  word  "sand"  and  the  translation  of  the  German  word  "hoorst," 
which  means  "a  grove."  It  was  adopted  for  this  place  merely  because 
it  was  thought  to  be  unique  and  euphonious. 

Sand  Eock,  Iron  County,  Wisconsin,  was  so  named  because  sand  stone  (rock) 
was  plentiful  in  the  vicinity. 

Sands,  Marquette  County,  Michigan,  was  named  from  the  nearby  sandy  plain. 

Secor,  Hardin  County,  Iowa,  was  laid  out  in  1888  by  the  Pioneer  Town  Sit* 
Company,  and  was  named  for  a  railroad  contractor  named  Secor. 

Sargent's  Bluffs,  Woodbury  County,  Iowa.  The  station  and  town  took  its 
name  from  the  high  bluff  nearby,  which  was  named  Sargents  Bluff  to 
honor  the  memory  of  Sergeant  Charles  Floyd  of  the  Lewis  and  Clark 
expedition,  who  died  while  the  boats  were  passing  up  the  Missouri  Kiver 
a  few  miles  distant  and  about  opposite  this  bluff.  Floyd's  body  was  car- 
ried up  tho  river  and  was  buried  at  the  point  where  the  bluffs  touch  the 
river,  just  below  Sioux  City,  and  to  that  part  of  the  bluff  Lewis  and  Clark 
gave  the  name  of  Floyd's  Bluff. 

Satuit,  Oneida  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  Sautuit  in  Barnstable  County, 
Massachusetts.  The  name  was  misspelled  on  the  plat  of  the  town  and 
was  so  recorded  and  hence  so  stands  to  this  day. 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line  123 


Saunders,  Iron   County,  Michigan,  was  named  for  a  timber  "cruiser"  of   the 

vicinity. 
Sawyer,  Fillmore  County,  Nebraska.     Sawyer  was  laid  out  and  named  Buxton, 

for  a  valued  employe  of  the  railroad  company,  by  the  Pioneer  Town  Site 

Company  in  1887.     The  name  changed  to  honor  Simeon  Sawyer,  the  oldest 

settler  on  the  place. 
Saxon,   Iron   County,   Wisconsin.      Saxon    was   named    for   that   branch    of    the 

Teutonic  family  who  originally  occupied  what  is  now  known  as  Holstein, 

in  Europe.     Originally  this  town  was  called  Dogwood  from  the  abundance 

of  "dogwood"  (Comus)  that  grew  hereabouts. 

Saylor,  Polk  County,  Iowa,  was  named  from  the  township  and  that  was  named 
for  Thomas  Saylor,  an  early  settler,  who  had  many  years  before  the  loca- 
tion of  this  place,  platted  a  village  which  he  called  Saylorville.  The  post- 
office  is  Marquisville. 

Schaller,  Sac  County,  Iowa,  was  named  for  Hon.  Phillip  Schaller  of  Sac  City. 

Schleswig,  Crawford  County,  Iowa,  was  laid  out  in  1899  by  the  Western  Town 
Lot  Company,  and  was  named  for  the  Province  of  Schleswig  in  Europe,  be- 
cause many  of  the  nearby  farmers  had  emigrated  from  that  province. 
Until    recently    the    name    of  the  postoffice  here  was  Hohenzollern. 

Scott,  Vilas  Count,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  T.  B.  Scott  of  Merrill,  Wisconsin, 
who  was  prominent  in  politics  and  business  in  Wisconsin  in  the  '70  's  and 
'80 's. 

Scranton,  Greene  County,  Iowa,  was  named  for  Joseph  H.  Scranton,  of  the  city 
in  Lackawanna  County,  Pennsylvania. 

Scarville,  Winnebago  County,  Iowa,  was  named  for  Ole  Scar,  who  owned  much 
land  in  the  vicinity  when  the  town  was  established. 

Scribner,  Dodge  County,  Nebraska,  was  named  for  Charles  Scribner,  the  book 
publisher  of  New  York  City.  He  was  a  son-in-law  of  John  I.  Blair  of  New 
Jersey  who  built  thousands  of  miles  of  railroad  in  the  west. 

Scribner  Junction,  Dodge  County,  Nebraska.  This  name  merely  indicates  a 
point  that  is  shown  on  the  time  table  of  the  road.  The  name  has  no  his- 
torical significance.     It  was  named   from  its   relation  to   Scribner. 

Seaforth,  Redwood  County,  Minnesota,  was  platted  in  1894  under  the  name  of 
Okawa  by  the  Western  Town  Lot  Company,  but  the  name  was  changed  to 
its  present  form  from  Seaforth,  a  well  known  place  in  Scotland. 

Seatonville,  Bureau  County,  Illinois,  was  named  for  W.  A.  Seaton,  an  old 
settler  of  the  vicinity. 

Seneca,  Faulk  County,  South  Dakota,  was  laid  out  in  1887  by  the  Pioneer 
Town  Site  Company,  and  was  named  for  Seneca  Falls,  a  village  in  Seneca 
County,  New  York.  The  name  is  a  corruption  of  the  Indian  word  sinnelcaas, 
which  by  the  Dutch  was  applied  to  an  Indian  tribe  of  New  York  State. 

Seven  Mile  Creek,   Sheboygan   County,  Wisconsin,   was  named  from   a   nearby 

stream. 
Seminole,   Natrona   County,   Wyoming,   was    named    for   the   Indian    tribe,   the 

word  meaning  "separatist,"  and  was  applied  to  a  portion  of  the  tribe  that 

left   the   parent   body    and    established    the    one    that    was   known   as    the 

Seminole  tribe. 


124  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 

Seward,  Seward  County,  Nebraska,  was  named  from  the  county  and  that  was 
named  for  William  H.  Seward,  the  statesman  of  New  York  State. 

Shabbona  Grove,  DeKalb  County,  Illinois,  was  named  for  Shabbona,  a  Pot- 
tawattamie Indian  Chief,  who  befriended  the  whites  during  the  Black  Hawk 
Indian  war  of  1832.     It  was  platted  by  the  railroad  company  in  1885. 

Shafer,  Delta  County,  Michigan,  was  named  for  Charles  Shafer,  a  coal  dealer 
of  the  vicinity. 

Sharon,  Walworth  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  Sharon  Springs,  New 
York,  whence  many  of  the  nearby  settlers  had  emigrated.  In  an  early 
day  it  was  called  Walworth.  The  word  Sharon  is  of  bibical  derivation, 
from  the  Hebrew,  meaning  "a  plain." 

Shawano,  Shawano  County,  Wisconsin.  This  name  was  derived  from  the 
Ojibway  Indian  word  shawanong ,  meaning  "in  the  south." 

Shawnee,  Converse  County,  Wyoming,  was  named  from  the  nearby  Shawnee 
Creek  and  that  was  named  from  the  Indian  tribe.  The  name  means 
"Southerners"  and  was  given  to  the  tribe  because  they  had  emigrated 
from  the  Savannah  River  in  Georgia. 

Sheboygan,  Sheboygan  County,  Wisconsin.  The  name  is  from  the  Ojibway 
Indian.  Two  derivations  are  given;  one  from  the  word  ji-ba-i-gan,  meaning 
a  perforated  object  as  for  instance  a  pipe  stem,  and  the  other  from 
shawb-wa-way ,  expressing  a  tradition  "that  a  great  noise  coming  under- 
ground (from  Lake  Superior)  was  heard  at  this  place." 

Sheboygan  Falls,  Sheboygan  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  the  falls 
nearby,  and  those  were  named  from  the  county  and  city. 

Sheldahl,  Polk  County,  Iowa,  was  named  by  and  for  Eev.  D.  Kjaldahl.  Owing 
to  the  difficulty  of  pronouncing  this  name  and  for  euphony  the  name  was 
Anglicized  to  its  present  form. 

Schickley,  Fillmore  County,  Nebraska,  was  named  for  Fillmore  Schickley,  an 
attorney  of  the  first  railroad  built  through  the  place. 

Shoshone,  Fremont  County,  Wyoming,  was  laid  out  in  1905  by  the  Pioneer 
Town  Site  Company.  It  was  named  from  the  Shoshone  Indian  tribe 
(Snakes),  from  their  reservation  and  the  Shoshone  mountains.  The 
Shoshone  tribe  had  its  early  home  in  Idaho  and  Oregon  and  the  great 
central  basin  of  the  continent.  The  original  meaning  and  derivation  of  the 
name  is  in  doubt. 

Shopiere,  Rock  County,  Wisconsin.  Waterloo  was  the  first  name  given  to  this 
village.  In  1847  a  committee  consisting  of  Dr.  James  Buckley,  the 
earliest  physician  of  the  place,  L.  P.  Harvey,  afterwards  Governor  of  Wis- 
consin, and  John  Hopkins,  were  appointed  by  the  citizens  to  select  a  new 
name  for  the  place.  Dr.  Buckley,  a  scholarly  man,  suggested  the  present 
name  and  it  was  adopted.  The  name  is  a  corruption  and  elision  of  the 
French  Chaux  (Sho)  "lime"  and  pierre  "stone,"  and  is  descriptive  of  the 
geological  formation  about  the  place.  A  colony  from  Connecticut  settled 
the  place  in  1836. 

Shepley,  Shawano  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  Colonel  J.  S.  Shepley,  a 
large  property  owner  of  the  vicinity. 

Siemens,  Gogebic  County,  Michigan,  was  named  for  Siemens,  the  celebrated 
Metallagist  and  inventor  of  an  improved  iron  smelting  process,  etc.,  etc. 

Silica,  Fond  du  Lac  County,  Wisconsin.  The  name  is  from  the  Latin  word  for 
sand   (silex,  flint)  and  is  supposed  to  describe  the  soil  around  the  place. 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line  12~> 

Siloam  Siding,  Milwaukee  County,  Wisconsin,  is  merely  a  side  track  within 
the  city  of  Milwaukee  and  was  named  from  the  celebrated  spring  of 
mineral  water  nearby.    The  name  of  the  spring  is  of  Bibical  derivation. 

Silver  Springs,  Milwaukee  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  by  Edward  J.  Cuy- 
ler,  an  officer  of  the  railroad  because  of  the  owner  of  a  nearby  manufactur- 
ing concern,  claimed  he  had  "silver  springs"  in  his  factory. 

Sioux  City,  Woodbury  County,  Iowa,  was  laid  out  in  1854,  and  by  its  founder, 
John  K.  Cooke,  was  named  from  the  Dakotas  (Sioux)  Indians,  the  largest 
tribe  of  Indians  in  the  United  States.  The  word  is  an  abbreviation  of  the 
name  Nadowessious  the  Ojibway  (Chippewa)  Indians,  applied  to  this 
tribe  and  signifies  "little  snakes,"  i.  e.  "enemies."  The  French  in  1785 
called  them  La  Sues,  while  George  Crogan,  the  Indian  interpreter,  called 
them  at  this  time  La  Suil.  The  word  Sioux  is  a  white  man's  corruption 
of  the  Ojibway  name.  The  Algonquin  Indians  called  the  tribe  Nadowassiway 
meaning  in  the  Algonquin  tongue  "snake,"  "like  snakes"  or  "enemies." 

Sioux  Eapids,  Buena  Vista  County,  Iowa,  was  named  from  the  rapids  in  the 
Big  Sioux  River;  the  river  was  named  from  the  Dakota  (Sioux)  Indians 
of  Minnesota  and  Dakota,  the  largest  Indian  tribe  in  the  United  States. 
The  word  is  an  abbreviation  of  their  Ojibway  name  and  means  "little 
snakes"  i.  e.  "enemies."  The  town  was  laid  out  in  1881  by  the  Western 
Town  Lot  Company.  The  French — when  Capt.  George  Crogan  was  in- 
terpreter and  deputy  Indian  Agent  under  Sir  William  Johnson  in  1785, 
called  this  tribe  La  Sues,  while  Crogan  spelled  the  name  La  Suil. 

Slater,  Story  County,  Iowa.  Was  named  for  Michael  Slater,  the  owner  of  the 
farm  on  which  the  town  was  established. 

Sleepy  Eye,  Brown  County,  Minnesota,  was  named  from  the  nearby  lake.  The 
lake  was  named  for  the  Indian  Chief  Is-na-num-baJc.  This  name  signifies 
"the  man  whose  eyes  have  the  appearance  of  sleep."  "Sleepy  Eye"  was 
supposed  to  be  a  "good  Indian"  and  a  friend  of  the  whites,  but  he  joined 
the  "hostiles"  in  1862  when  the  Sioux  war  of  that  year  was  inaugurated. 

Sloan,  Woodbury  County,  Iowa,  was  named  for  Samuel  Sloan,  a  noted  railroad 
man  of  New  York.  He  was  at  one  time  Superintendent  of  the  Hudson 
River  Railroad,  and  afterwards  and  for  many  years  was  president  of  the 
Delaware,  Lackawanna  and  Western  Railway.     He  died  in  1907. 

Smith's  Mill,  Waseca  County,  Minnesota,  was  named  for  Peter  Smith,  the 
earliest  settler  here,  who  owned  a  mill  here,  before  the  railroad  reached 
the  place. 

Smithwick,  Fall  River  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  for  the  engineer  who 
was  in  charge  of  the  construction  of  the  railroad  through  this  place. 

Snells,  Winnebago  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  a  nearby  land  owner. 

Snyder,  Dodge  County,  Nebraska,  was  laid  out  in  1886  by  the  Pioneer  Town 
Site  Company  and  was  named  for  Conrad  Schneider  who  owned  the  land  on 
which  the  town  was  established.  He  operated  a  flouring  mill  at  this 
location.  The  spelling  of  the  name  was  changed  to  conform  to  the  English 
form  at  the  request  of  the  early  settlers. 

Soldier,  Monona  County,  Iowa,  was  laid  out  in  1899  by  the  Western  Town  Lot 
Company,  and  was  named  from  the  nearby  river.  The  river  was  named 
from  the  unnamed  grave  of  a  United  States  soldier,  who  was  buried  here 
in  an  early  day. 


126  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 

Soudan,    Cherry    County,    Nebraska,    was    named    for    the    Sudan    or    Soudan 

province    of    Egypt,    Beled-es-Sudan,    or    ' '  the    land    of    the    blacks^ ' '    or 

Nigritia  in  the  valley  of  the  upper  Nile. 
South  Elgin,  Kane   County,   Illinois.     This   place   was  named    Clinton ville,   by 

and  for  Jamei  Clinton  an  early  settler.     For  a  long  time  the  name  of  its 

postoffice   had  been   South   Elgin.     In    3907   the   name   of   the   station   and 

village  was  changed  to  conform  to  the  name  of  the  postoffice. 
South  Centralia,  Wood  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  Centralia  (which 

see).     It  is  a   manufacturing  adjunct  to  Centralia. 
South  Madison,  Dane  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  the  city  of  Madison 

(whi^h  see).     It  is  practically  a  portion  of  that  city. 
South  Milwaukee,  Milwaukee  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  Milwaukee 

(which  see).     It  is  an  outlying  manufacturing  district.     It  was   formerly 

called  Oak  Creek  from  a  nearby  stream. 
South  Omaha,  Douglas  County,  Nebraska,  was  named  from  the  City  of  Omaha 

(which  see).    This  town  is  a  manufacturing  adjunct  to  that  city. 

Spalding,  Menominee  County,  Michigan,  was  named  by  Edward  P.  Wood,   the 

original  owner  of  the  town  site  for  Hon.  Jesse  Spalding,  of  Chicago. 
Sparta,  Monroe  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  by  Mrs.  M.  Petit,  the  mother 

of  the  founder  of  the  village,  from  the  ancient  city  in  Greece.     The  Petit 

brothers,  William  and  Frank  located  here  in  1851. 
Speer,  Stark  County,  Illinois,  was  named  for  E.  K.  and  E.  M.  Speer  from  whom 

the  land  for  the  town  site  was  purchased. 
Spencer,  Boyd   County,   Nebraska,  was  named   for  George  E.   Spencer,   United 

States  Senator  from  Alabama. 
Split  Rock,  Shawano  County,  Wisconsin,  is  alleged  to  have  been  named  from 

a  large  rock  that  had  split  into  two  parts  when  the  town  was  located. 
Spread   Eagle,   Florence   County,   Wisconsin,   was   named   from   a  nearby   lake, 

which  was  so  named  because  of  its  fancied  resemblance  to  an  eagle  with 

its  wings  widely  spread. 
Springfield,  Brown  County,  Minnesota.     The  original  name  was  Burns  from  an 

early  settler.     Its  present  name  was  given  to  it  in  1880  from  Springfield 

in  Massachusetts. 
Spring  Lake,  Waushara   County,   Wisconsin,  was   named  from   a  nearby   lako, 

which   was   named   because   it   was   made   and    fed   by   springs   within   the 

lake. 
Spring  Valley,  Bureau  County,  Illinois,  was  named  from   a  nearby   coal  mine, 

that  was  named  by  William  L.  Scott,  the  principal  owner,  from  the  springs 

which  were  notable  features  in  the  nearby  valley. 
Stafford,  Holt  County,  Nebraska,  was  named  for  Michael  Stafford,  a  road  master 

of  the  Fremont,  Elkhorn  and  Missouri  Valley  Railroad,  who  had  charge  of  a 

part    of   the   railroad   that   passes   through   this   place.      At   one   time   the 

place  was  called  O'Donnel,  but  the  name  was  changed   at  the  request  of 

the  citizens. 
Stager,  Iron  County,  Michigan,  was  named  for  Anson  Stager  of  Chicago,  who 

for  many  years,  managed   the  interests  of   the  Western   Union  Telegraph 

Company  in  the  west,  and  was  in  charge  of  the  military  telegraph  of  the 

United  States  Arm}   during  the  War  of  the  Rebellion. 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line  127 


Stambaugh,  Iron  County,  Michigan,  was  named  for  John  Stambaugh  of  Todd, 

Stambaugh  and  Company  of  Youngstown,  Ohio,  which  had  large  iron  ore 

mines  nearby. 
Stanhope,  Hamilton   County,  Iowa,  was  named  for  Lady  Hester  L.  Stanhope, 

the    traveller   and    authoress.      The    town    was    laid    out    in    1883    by    the 

Western  Town  Lot  Company. 
Stanton,  Stanton  County,  Nebraska,  was  platted  in  1880  by  the  Pioneer  Town 

Site  Company.     It  was  named  from  the  county  and  that  was  named  for  the 

great   War  Secretary,  E.  M.  Stanton  of  Ohio. 
Stanwood,  Cedar  County,  Iowa,  was  by  Isaac  Howe  named  for  II.  P.  Stanwood, 

an  officer  of  the   Chicago  and  North  Western  Eailway  Company. 
Stark,  Mahaska  County,  Iowa,  was  named  in  honor  of  General  John  Stark,  the 

hero  of  the  battle  of  Bennington,  Vermout,  of  the  Kevolutionary  War. 
State  Center,  Marshall  County,  Iowa,  was  so  named  because  it  was  near  the 

geographical  center  of  the  State  of  Iowa. 
State  Hospital,  Winnebago  County,  Wisconsin,  was  so  named  because  the  depot 

here  was  established  for  the  convenience  of  the  Northern  Wisconsin  (State) 

Hospital  for  the  insane. 
State  Line,  Vilas  County,  Wisconsin,  was  so  named  because  it  is  located  on 

the  State  line  between  Wisconsin  and  Michigan. 
Stephenson,    Menominee    County,    Michigan,    was    named    for    the    Stephenson 

family,  i.  e.  Isaac,   Samuel  and   Robert  of  Marinette,   Wisconsin  and  Me- 
nominee, Michigan,  who  owned  large  tracts  of  land  around  this  location. 
Sterling,  Whiteside  County,  Illinois,  was  named  for  Colonel  Samuel  Sterling  of 

Pennsylvania. 
Stiles  Junction,  Oconto  County,   Wisconsin,  was  named  for  the   Stiles  family, 

who  emigrated  from  Stilesville,  Indiana;  that  village  was  named  for  Jere- 
miah Stiles,  the  owner  of  the  town  site. 
Stitzer,   Grant   County,   Wisconsin,    was    named   by    W.   W.   Ford,    one    of    the 

owners  of  the  town  site  for  Bernard  Stitzer,  owner  of  a  nearby  farm. 
Stockham,  Hamilton   County,   Nebraska,  was   laid  out  in  1887   by  the  Pioneer 

Town    Site    Company    and    was    named    from    a    postoftice    that    had    been 

established  here  in   an   early  day.     The   postoffice   was   named   for  Joseph 

Stockham,  a  pioneer  in   this  part  of  the  State. 
Stockton,  Winona  County,   Minnesota,  was  named  for   and  by  J.   B.  Stockton 

the  owner  of  the  town  site. 
Stock  Yards  Omaha,  Douglas  County,  Nebraska,  was  named  from  the  city  of 

Omaha,   (which   see.) 
Story  City,  Story  County,  Iowa.     The  original  name  was  Fairview.     It  is  now 

named  from   the   county.     The   county   was  named  by   the  legislature   for 

Judge   Joseph   Story   of    the    Supreme    Court   of   the   United   States.      The 

word  "city"  was  added  to  the  proper  name  in  1907. 
Stout,  Grundy  County,  Iowa,  was  named  for  A.  V.  Stout,  who  owned  the  farm 

on  which  the  village  was  established. 
Stratford,   Hamilton    County,   Iowa,  was   named   at   the   suggestion   of   Colonel 

John  Whitaker  at  a  meeting  of  the  citizens,  from  Stratford  in  England. 
It  was  laid  out  in  1880  by  the  Western  Town  Lot  Company. 
Stratford,  Marathon  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  by  F.  W.  Rhinelander,  the 
then  president  of  the  first  railroad  that  reached  this  point.     It  was  named 


128  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 

from  the  home  of  Shakespeare  in  England.     It  was  platted  in  1891  by  the 
Milwaukee,  Lake  Shore  and  Western  Kailway  Company. 

Strawbridge,  Lafayette  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  Edward  Straw- 
bridge,  an  early  settler  and  the  original  owner  of  the  town  site. 

Strouds,  Natrona  County,  Wyoming,  was  laid  out  in  1888  by  the  Pioneer  Town 
Site  Company  and  was  named  for  a  "ranchman"  who  lived  here  before 
the  railroad  was  built  through  the  place. 

Stuart,  Holt  County,  Nebraska,  was  platted  by  the  Pioneer  Town  Site  Com- 
pany in  1883  and  was  named  for  Robert  Stuart,  the  father-in-law  of  the 
owner  of  the  land  on  which  the  town  was  established.  He  was  a  Scotch 
sea  captain. 

Sturgeon,  Dickinson  County,  Michigan,  was  named  from  a  nearby  river.  That 
was  named  from  the  English  translation  of  an  Indian  word  descriptive  of 
the  sturgeon  fish.     The  river  abounds  with  this  fish. 

Sturgis,  Meade  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  by  Colonel  Samuel  Sturgis, 
of  the  Seventh  United  States  Cavalry,  who  at  one  time  was  in  command  of 
Fort  Meade,  for  his  son  "Jack"  Sturgis  who  was  killed  with  Custer  in 
Montana.  Fort  Meade  was  named  for  General  George  C.  Meade  of  the 
War  of  the  Rebellion. 

Sugar  Bush,  Outagamie  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  by  Michael  Ruckdas- 
hel,  because  of  the  abundance  and  size  of  the  sugar  maple  (Acer  sac- 
charum)   that  grew  nearby  when  the  town  was  laid  out. 

Sullivan,  Jefferson  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  the  township.  That 
was  named  for  Major  General  John  Sullivan  of  the  Revolutionary  War. 

Sumac,  Dickinson  County,  Michigan,  was  named  from  the  "Sumac"  (Rhus 
typhina)  trees  that  grew  in  great  abundance  in  the  vicinity. 

Summerdale,  Cook  County,  Illinois,  is  practically  a  part  of  the  City  of  Chicago. 
It  was  named  by  Robert  Greer  of  St.  Louis,  who  selected  the  name  because 
of  ' '  its  pleasant  sound  and  suggestions. ' '  Mr.  Greer  was  interested  in 
a  large  manufactory  here. 

Summit,  Monroe  County,  Wisconsin,  was  so  named  because  it  was  on  the  top 
of  a  ridge  that  had  steep  grades  on  both  its  sides. 

Summit  Lake,  Langlade  County,  Wisconsin,  was  platted  in  1887  by  the  Mil- 
waukee, Lake  Shore  and  Western  Railway  in  1882  and  named  for  a  nearby 
lake,  which  was  on  high  land  in  the  vicinity. 

Superior,  Nuckolls  County,  Nebraska,  was  so  named  because  of  the  superior 
character  of  the  land  in  the  vicinity  as  compared  with  other  lands  that 
were  traversed  by  the  first  railroad  that  passed  through  this  place. 

Suring,  Oconto  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  J.  Suring,  who  owned  much 
land  in  the  vicinity.  It  was  once  called  Three  Rivers,  because  three 
branches  of  the  Oconto  River  united  nearby. 

Surprise,  Butler  County,  Nebraska,  was  laid  out  in  1887  by  the  Pioneer  Town 
Site  Company,  and  was  so  named  because  of  the  surprise  that  was  ex- 
pressed from  finding  the  country  around  it  so  much  better  than  was  ex- 
pected before  the  railroad  was  located. 

Sutherland,  O'Brien  County,  Iowa,  was  named  for  the  Duke  of  Sutherland, 
some  of  whose  neighbors  were  settled  near  here.  The  town  was  laid  out 
in  1882  by  the  Western  Town  Lot  Company. 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line  129 

Swanzy,  Marquette  County,  Michigan.  The  name  is  an  elision  of  Swanzey, 
a  town  in  New  Hampshire.  That  name  is  a  corruption  of  the  name  of 
Swansea  in  Wales.  The  name  was  given  to  this  station  in  honor  of  Denman 
Thompson,  an  American  actor,  it  having  been  stated  to  the  namer  of  this 
Michigan  village  that  he  was  raised  in  Swanzey,  New  Hampshire. 

Swedeburg,  Saunders  County,  Nebraska,  was  laid  out  in  1886  by  the  Pioneer 
Town  Site  Company,  and  was  so  named  because  a  large  number  of  Swedes 
owned  farms  in  this  vicinity. 

Sycamore,  DeKalb  County,  Illinois,  was  named  from  the  English  translation 
of  the  Indian  name  of  the  Kish-wau-kee  Biver.  The  word  signifies  ' '  Syca- 
more," and  wa3  adopted  because  of  the  many  "American  Sycamore" 
{Plantanus  occidentalis)  trees,  that  grew  here. 

Syene,  Dane  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  a  nearby  extensive  prairie. 
That  was  named  by  its  early  settlers  from  some  now  not  known  associa- 
tion with  the  Syrine  of  Egypt  (that  is  mentioned  in  the  Bible)  the 
Hebrew  name  of  which  was  Sevench. 

Talbot,  Menominee  County,  Michigan,  was  named  for  Matthew  Talbot,  once 
Governor  of  Georgia. 

Tama,  Tama  County,  Iowa,  was  first  called  Tama  City.  The  name  is  Indian, 
one  authority  claiming  it  meant  "beautiful,"  "pleasant,"  "lovely," 
and  that  it  was  the  Indian  name  of  the  wife  of  the  Indian  Chief  Powe- 
shiek. Another  equally  good  authority,  states  that  it  was  the  name 
of  a  Chief  whose  name  meant  "a  bear  whose  voice  makes  the  rocks 
tremble. ' '  Its  first  name  was  Iuka  and  was  so  named  from  the  battlefield 
in  Mississippi  where  many  Tama  County  soldiers  were  killed.  The  town 
was  platted  in  1862.  The  MusquaJcie  tribe  of  Indians  has  a  reservation 
near  the  town. 

Tamarack,  Gogebic  County,  Michigan.  The  name  of  this  station  was  taken 
from  the  "Tamarack"  (Larix  laricina — American  Larch)  trees  that  were 
very  plentiful  around  this  site. 

Taunton,  Lyon  County,  Minnesota,  was  named  by  C.  C.  Wheeler,  then  an 
officer  of  the  railroad,  from  the  city  in  Massachusetts,  which  was  named 
from  the  town  in  England.  It  was  platted  in  1886  by  the  Winona  and 
St.  Peter  Eailroad  Company. 

Taylors,  Marquette  County,  Michigan,  was  named  for  a  man  engaged  in  dealing 
in  wood  at  this  place,  when  the  station  was  established. 

Terra  Cotta,  McHenry  County,  Illinois,  was  named  by  W.  D.  Gates  from  the 
"Terra  Cotta"  (hard  unglazed  pottery)  works  at  this-  point.  The  village 
was  originally  called  Gracy's  Crossing  because  roads  crossed  Gracy's  farm 
at  this  point. 

Terry,  Lawrence  County,  South  Dakota.  This  place  was  named  from  the 
nearby  mountain  "Terry's  Peak"  at  the  base  of  which  the  town  is  located. 
The  mountain  was  named  for  General  Terry  of  the  United  States  Army, 
who  had  explored  this  part  of  the  State  before  it  was  settled  by  whites. 

Thatcher,  Cherry  County,  Nebraska,  was  named  for  J.  M.  Thatcher,  the  United 
States  post  trader  at  Fort  Niobrara,  when  the  railroad  reached  this  point. 

Thayer,  York  County,  Nebraska,  was  platted  in  1887  by  the  Pioneer  Town 
Site  Company  and  was  named  for  General  John  M.  Thayer,  a  distinguished 
citizen  of  Nebraska,  a  General  in  the  United  States  Army,  during  the  War 
of  the  Kebellion  and  afterwards  United  State  Senator  from  Nebraska. 


130  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 

Taycheedah,  Fond  du  Lac  County,  Wisconsin,  a  village  but  not  a  station,  and 
was  named  from  an  Indian  camp  upon  Lake  Winnebago.  It  is  an  Indian 
word  meaning  "lake  camp." 

Turtle  Junction,  Gogebic  County,  Michigan,  was  so  named  because  it  is  at  the 
junction  of  a  line  of  railroad  running  to  Turtle  Lake;  the  lake  was  ao 
named  because  of  its  supposed  resemblance  in  shape  to  a  turtle. 

Townsend,  Forest  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  a  nearby  Townsend's 
Saw  Mill. 

Teton,  Stanley  County,  South  Dakota.  The  original  name  was  Bad  River. 
This  name  came  from  the  present  name  of  the  nearby  river.  This  river 
was  called  by  the  Sioux  Indians,  Shiclca  and  sometimes  Wak-pa-shi-cka, 
both  of  which  meant  Bad  Biver.  It  was  so  named  because  of  a  disaster 
which  the  Indians  met  with  on  this  stream,  and  which  was,  by  them  aa- 
eigned  to  the  river.  As  neither  the  river  nor  the  land  along  it  were  bad, 
the  name  was  changed  to  Teton.  That  is  an  Indian  corruption  of  the 
word  Tinton  or  Tinta,  the  name  of  a  division  of  the  Sioux  (Dakota)  tribe 
and  means  ' '  prairie. "  It  is  variously  spelled  Teton,  Titon,  Titowan  and 
Tintonwan.  Tintonwan  really  means  "prairie  dwellers."  Prairie  River 
was  also  called  Teton  by  the  Sioux  Indians  and  they  claimed  the  word 
meant  "a  view  in  the  prairie,"  or  "prairie  view."  Lewis  and  Clark 
called  it  the  Teton  but  gave  no  reason  for  the  name.  It  was  at  one  time 
called  the  Little  Missouri  Biver. 

Thornton,  Shawano  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  Thornton  in  New 
Hampshire;  that  was  named  for  three  brothers,  early  settlers,  though  some 
credit  the  name  to  Honorable  Matthew  Thornton  alone. 

Thayer,  Gogebic  County,  Michigan,  was  named  for  J.  O.  Thayer  of  Sheboygan, 
Wisconsin,  who  for  many  years  was  connected  with  the  railroad  that 
passed  through  this  place. 

Thor,  Humboldt  County,  Iowa,  was  named  for  the  Scandinavian  "God  of 
Agriculture."     It  was  platted  in  1882  by  the  Western  Town  Lot  Company. 

Thrall,  Wright  County,  Iowa,  was  named  by  the  railroad  company  to  honor 
W.  A.  Thrall,  one  of  its  earliest  officers,  and  an  officer  of  the  original 
Galena  and  Chicago  Union  Railroad.  It  was  platted  in  1886  by  the  Western 
Town  Lot  Company. 

Three  Lakes,  Oneida  County,  Wisconsin,  was  so  named  because  there  were 
three  lakes  nearby. 

Tlgerton,  Shawano  County,  Wisconsin.  This  place  was  named  from  the  nearby 
Tiger  River;  how  or  why  the  river  was  so  named  cannot  now  be  ascertained. 
It  is,  however,  believed  to  have  been  named  by  the  early  French  explorera, 
and  that  the  name  they  gave  it  was  corrupted  into  Tiger. 

Tilden,  Antelope  and  Madison  Counties,  Nebraska,  was  laid  out  in  1880  under 
the  name  of  Burnett  to  honor  one  of  the  officers  of  the  railroad  company,  by 
the  Pioneer  Town  Site  Company.  Some  of  the  admirers  of  Samuel  J.  Tilden 
of  New  York,  induced  the  United  States  postoffice  department  to  change 
the  name  of  the  postoffice  and  ultimately  the  name  of  the  town  wag  made 
to  correspond  with  the  name  of  the  postoffice.  The  town  is  on  each  side  of 
the  line  between  the  two  counties  that  are  named  above. 

Tilford,  Meade  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  by  W.  F.  Fitch,  Manager 
of  the  railroad  when  the  town  was  located,  for  Colonel  Joseph  G.  Tilford, 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line  131 


of  the  Seventh  United  States  Cavalry,  and  once  Commander  of  Fort  Meade. 

It  was  platted  in  1888  by  the  Pioneer  Town  Site  Company. 
Tilton,  Poweshiek  County,  Iowa,   was  named  for  George  W.  Tilton,  an  officer 

of  the  Eailroad  Company.    It  was  plaited  in  1884  by  the  Western  Town  Lot 

Company. 
Tioga,   Mahaska   County,   Iowa,   was   named   from    the   county   and   borough   in 

Pennsylvania.      They   were   named    from    the    Tioga   river.      The    name    is 

Iroquois  Indian   and   has   been   given   various  interpretations,   as  "at  the 

forks"   "swift   current"   and   "gate."     The    Iowa   town   was   platted    in 

1886  by  the  Western  Town  Lot  Company. 
Tipton,    Cedar   County,    Iowa,   was   named    in    1840    for    General   John   Tipton, 

Senator  from  Indiana,  by  the  committee  appointed  by  the  Legislature  to 

select  and  name  the  county  seat  of  the  then  newly  erected  Cedar  County. 

The  name  was  suggested  by  John  C.  Higginson,  who  was  a  personal  friend 

of  General  Tipton. 
Toledo,   Tama  County,   Iowa,   was  named   from    the   city   in   Ohio.     That    was 

named  from  the  city  in  Spain. 
Tomahawk  Lake,   Oneida   County,  Wisconsin,   was  platted   by   the  Milwaukee, 

Lake  Shore  and  Western  Railway  in  1892  and  was  named  for  the  nearby 

lake.      The    lake    was    named   because    of    its    resemblance   to    the    Indian 

hatchet — tomahawk,  or   toma-hican. 
Town  Line,  Sheboygan   County,  Wisconsin.     Its  former  name  was  Decco.     Its 

present  name  came  from  the  fact  that  it  is  on  the  line  that  separates  two 

townships. 
Tracy,  Lyon  County,  Minnesota,  was  named  for  John  F.  Tracy,  once  president 

of  the  Chicago  and  North  Western  Railway.    It  was  platted  by  the  Winona 

and  St.  Peter  Railway  in   1875.     The  village  was  for  a  time  called  "Big 

Bend,"  on  account  of  a  great  curve  in  the  railroad  here,  and  afterwards  it 

was  called  Chetek  from   a  nearby  lake. 
Traer,  Tama  County,  Iowa,  was  named  for  John  W.  Traer  of  Vinton  and  Cedar 

Rapids,  Iowa. 
Traverse,    Nicollet    County,    Minnesota,    was    named    from    the    township,    and 

that    was    named    from    the    lake.      The    word    is    a    translation    from    the 

Dakota  (Sioux)   name  of  the  lake  and  refers  to  the  transverse  position  of 

this  long  lake  across   the   lay  of  the  neighboring  lakes — Big  Stone  and  Lac 

qui  Parle,  and  the  Minnesota  River. 
Trempeleau,    Trempelenu    County,    Wisconsin,    was    named    from    the    island    in 

the  Mississippi  River,  which   was  named  by  the  French  La  montagne  que 

trempe  a  I'eau,  meaning  "mountain  which  stands  iu  the  water."    Until  1856 

the  village  was  called   Montarville. 
Triumph,  LaSalle  County,  Illinois,  was  named  by  the  citizens  because  they  had 

"triumphed"  over  opposition  to  the  establishment  of  a  postoffice  here. 
Triumph,  Martin  County,  Minnesota,  was  platted  in  1899  by  the  Western  Town 

Lot   Company.     It   was   named   from    a   creamery   owned   by   the   Triumph 

Creamery   Company.    John  Stein,   one  of  the  owners  of  the  Creamery,  gave 

the  town  its  name. 
Trombly,  Delta  County,  Michigan,  was  named  for  a  nearby  property  owner. 
Troy  Grove,  LaSalle  County,  Illinois,  was  named  from  a  nearby  grove,  and  that 

was  named  for  an  early  settler  in  the  grove. 


132  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 

Turin,  Monona  County,  Iowa,  was  platted  in  1887  by  the  Western  Town  Lot 

Company  and  was  named  from  the  city  in  Italy.     (Torino  in  Italian.)     The 

town  was  originally  called  Bluff  Point. 
Turton,  Spink  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  by  an  early  settler  from  Turton 

in  Lancashire,  England.     It  was  platted  in  1886  by  the  Western  Town  Lot 

Company. 
Twin  Lakes,  Kenosha  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  two  nearby  lakes, 

which  were  in  every  respect  so  near  alike  that  they  were  called  the  ' '  twin 

lakes. ' ' 
Two  Eivers,   Manitowoc   County,   Wisconsin,  was   named   for   the   twin   rivers, 

Mishicott  and  Neshota  that  here  run  together  into  the  lake  and  form  the 

harbor  for  the  city. 
Tyler,   Lincoln   County,   Minnesota,   was   named  by  H.   G.   Eising  of   Eedfield, 

South  Dakota,  for  C.  B.  Tyler,  a  banker  of  Marshall,  Minnesota.     It  was 

platted  in  1879  by  the  Winona  and  St.  Peter  Eailroad  Company. 
Ulao,  Ozaukee  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  Port  Ulao,  one  time  a  port 

on  Lake  Michigan  near  this  location.    This  port  (it  was  not  much  more  than 

a  wharf  or  pier)  was  named  from  the  river  Ulao  (Ulloa)   in  Honduras. 
Underhill,  Oconto  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  by  John  Underhill,  a  sawmill 

man   here   for   Underhill    in   Chittenden    County,   Vermont,   and    that    was 

named  for  two  brothers,  share  holders  under  its  original  charter. 
Union,  McHenry  County,  Illinois,  was  named  from  the  National  Union  (United 

States)  by  William  Jackson,  the  original  owner  of  the  town  site. 
Union  Center,  Juneau  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  Union  by  C.  A.  Davis 

for  the  National  Union  (United  States),  and  Center  was  added  because  it 

was  near  the  geographical  center  of  Wonewoc  township  where  it  is  located. 
Union  Grove,  Whiteside  County  Illinois,  was  named  from  two  nearby  groves, 

which  were  so  much  alike  that  they  were  called  "The  Union  Groves." 
Union  Stock  Yards,  Cook  County,  Illinois.     This  name  merely  indicates  a  point 

that  is  shown  on  the  time  table  of  the  road.     The  name  has  no  historical 

significance.     Is  to  the  railroad  merely  a  freight  station  within  the  city  of 

Chicago. 
Upton,  Lake  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  E.  L.  and  E.  C.  Upton,  attorneys 

of  Waukegan,  Ills. 
Urban,  Custer  County,  South  Dakota.     The  name  is  Latin  for  "pertaining  to  a 

city"  and  when  used  here,  was  to  denote  the  future  destiny  of  the  place. 
Ute,  Monona  County,  Iowa,  was  named  for  that  branch  of  the  Shoshone  tribe 

of  Indians  that  is  known  as  Vtes  or  Utahs. 
Utica,  Winona  County,  Minnesota,  was  named  by  Austin  Eaymond  from   the 

city  of  Utica  in  New  York. 
Underwood,  Pennington   County,   South   Dakota,  was   named   for   John   Under- 
wood, Manager  of  the  Humphrey  Cattle  Eanch  near  this  town. 
Vail,  Crawford  County,  Iowa,  was  named  by  John  I.  Blair  of  Blairstown,  New 

Jersey  for  C.  E.  Vail,  a  relative. 
Valentine,  Cherry  County,  Nebraska,  was  platted  in  1883  by  the  Pioneer  Town 

Site  Company,  and  was  named  for  E.  K.  Valentine  of  West  Point,  Nebraska, 

who  was  successively  Eegister  of  the  United  States  Land  Office  at  West 

Point,  Nebraska,  Judge  of  the   District  Court,  and  Member   of  Congress 

from  the  Northern  District  of  Nebraska. 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line  13:> 

VanBuskirk,  Iron  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  the  brothers  VanBuskirk, 
who  owned  and  operated  saw  mills  here. 

Vandyne,  Fond  du  Lac  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  Daniel  Vandyne,  of 
Fond  du  Lac,  Wisconsin,  who  had  purchased  from  the  United  States  the 
land  on  which  the  town  was  established. 

Van  Metre,  Lyman  County,  South  Dakota.  This  town  was  platted  by  the 
Western  Town  Lot  Company  and  was  named  Bovine.  The  word  comes 
from  the  Latin  for  Ox  (Bos)  and  was  thought  to  be  appropriate  because 
all  of  the  business  around  the  place  was  connected  with  stock  growing 
and  feeding.  This  name  was  changed  at  the  request  of  the  citizens  to 
Van  Metre,  to  honor  Mr.  Arthur  C.  Van  Metre  who  had  large  interests  in 
the  vicinity.  Mr.  Van  Metre  came  to  Dakota  with  the  Harney  military 
expedition  in  1855.  He  assisted  in  building  a  fort  about  four  miles  north 
of  the  location  of  the  Fort  Pierre  City  of  the  present  day.  He  was  the 
interpreter  at  the  making  of  a  treaty  with  the  Sioux  Indians  at  Cheyenne 
river  agency  in  1889,  in  which  the  Indians  relinquished  their  claims  to 
many  millions  of  acres  of  land  and  thus  permitted  them  to  become  the 
homes  of  thousands.  The  treaty  was  assailed  by  Sitting  Bull  and  some  other 
hostile  chiefs  and  they  threatened  to  murder  the  first  Indian  who  should 
sign  the  treaty.  Mr.  Van  Metre  personally  induced  the  chief  Chasing 
Crow  to  sign  the  treaty.  Chasing  Crow  was  a  full  blood  Sioux  from 
Bad  Biver.  Mr.  Van  Metre  was  carrier  of  despatches  for  the  Government 
and  often  as  such  risked  his  life  while  passing  through  the  camps  of  the 
hostile  Indians.  Mr.  Van  Metre  was  the  first  white  settler  in  Clay  County, 
S.  D.,  was  a  pioneer  gold  hunter  in  the  Black  Hills  and  part  owner  of 
the  first  mill  that  was  erected  there.  He  also  owned  a  ferry  across  the 
Missouri  Biver  at  what  is  now  Vermillion,  S.  D.  His  daughter  was  the 
first  white  child  born  to  settled  parents  in  South  Dakota.  He  died  at  Pierre 
in  1894. 

Van  Ostrand,  Langlade  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  E.  H.  Van  Ostrand  of 
Antigo,   Wisconsin. 

Van  Petten,  Lee  County,  Illinois,  was  named  for  A.  G.  Van  Petten  who  owned 
the  land  on  which  the  town  was  established. 

Van  Tassell,  Converse  County,  Wyoming,  was  named  for  K.  S.  Van  Tassell 
of  Cheyenne,  Wyo.,  whose  cattle  ranch  was  nearby  when  the  town  was  laid 
out.    He  also  owned  the  land  on  which  the  town  site  was  laid  out. 

Verdel,  Knox  County,  Nebraska.  This  name  was  made  from  the  Spanish  word 
verde,  meaning  "green"  and  was  descriptive  of  the  locality. 

Verdi,  Lincoln  County,  Minnesota,  was  named  for  the  Italian  musical  com- 
poser, Joseph  Verdi,  and  also  to  perpetuate  the  fact  of  the  great  and 
unusual  greenness  (Verd)  of  the  prairie  surrounding  the  town  when  it  was 
established.     It  was  platted  in  1879  by  the  Western  Town  Lot  Company. 

Verdigre,  Knox  County,  Nebraska,  was  platted  in  1887  by  the  Pioneer  Town 
Site  Company,  and  was  named  from  the  nearby  river.  The  river  was  named 
from  the  Spanish  word  meaning  green,  because  of  the  greenish  cast  of 
the  soil  on  its  banks. 

Verdon,  Brown  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  from  the  river  in  France.  It 
was  platted  in  1886  by  the  Western  Town  Lot  Company. 


134  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 


Vega,  Menominee  County,  Michigan,  was  named  from  the  Spanish  word  vega 
meaning  a  "tract  of  level,  fruitful  ground."  It  was  supposed  to  be 
descriptive  of  this  location. 

Verona,  Dane  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  by  George  Vroman  from  the  place 
in  New  York  State;  that  place  was  named  from  the  province  and  city  in 
Italy. 

Vesper,  Wood  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  Venus,  when  evening  star. 
It  was,  however,  applied  to  this  place  from  the  presence  of  vast  numbers  of 
Vesper  sparrows   (Poocaetcs  gramincus)  that  frequent  the  vicinity. 

Vesta,  Redwood  County,  Minnesota,  was  platted  in  1S09  by  the  Western  Town 
Lot  Company  and  was  named  for  the  heathen  goddess  Vesta. 

Vilas,  Miner  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  for  Colonel  W.  F.  Vilas,  Ex- 
United  States  Senator  from  Wisconsin.  It  was  platted  in  1883  by  the 
Western  Town  Lot  Company. 

Viola,  Olmsted  County,  Minnesota,  was  named  from  the  township,  and  that  waB 
named  from  a  village  in  Wisconsin,  which  was  named  for  Viola  Buck,  the 
wife  of  an  early  settler.  Its  first  name  was  Viola  Center,  but  ultimately 
the  Center  was  dropped. 

Volga,  Brookings  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  from  the  river  Volga, 
which  is  Sarmatian  for  "great  river."  The  town  was  platted  by  the 
Western  Town  Lot  Company  in  1880. 

Volin,  Yankton  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  for  Henry  P.  Volin  the 
owner  of  adjacent  land. 

Vulcan,  Dickinson  County,  Michigan,  was  named  for  a  nearby  iron  ore  mine. 
The  mine  was  named  for  Vulcan,  one  of  the  gods  of  ancient  Mythology. 

Voorhes,  Blackhawk  County,  Iowa,  was  named  for  one  of  the  civil  engineers 
who  laid  out  the  railroad  that  passes  through  this  region. 

Wabasso,  Redwood  County,  Minnesota.  Was  platted  by  the  Western  Town 
Lot  Company  in  1889.  This  name  came  from  the  Pottawatomie  Indian 
language.  Father  DeSmet,  S.  J.  said  it  referred  to  "The  son  of  a  great 
Manitou."  Longfellow  in  his  "Song  of  Hiawatha"  applies  it  to  the 
rabbit  or  white  rabbit  and  also  to  the  place  the  white  rabbit  came  from. 

Wabeno,  Forest  County,  Wisconsin.  This  town  was  platted  by  the  Western 
Town  Lot  Company  in  1897.  Its  name  is  Indian  and  means  "crafty 
magicians,"  "wise  men"  and  "mystery  men."  Hence  the  modern  legend 
that  it  meant  "men  from  the  east"  or  "men  from  the  early  dawn,"  as 
many  suppose  all  mystery  and  wisdom  came  from  the  East.  It  clearly  was 
the  name  of  a  brotherhood  or  order  amongst  the  Indians,  rather  than  of  a 
person.  The  wabenos  were  "medicine  men"  and  conjurers.  They  also 
called  the  tents  or  huts  in  which  they  initiated  into  their  mysteries, 
Wabeno,  and  they  also  did  the  Indian  who  had  therein  been  initiated. 
To  show  the  connection  of  medicine  with  the  work  of  these  people,  it  may 
be  said  that  Wabcno-wusk  was  the  name  the  tribe  gave  to  the  Yarrow 
(Achillae  Millefoliam)  plant  that  they  claimed  were  "roots  of  power"  and 
"herbs  of  healing." 

Wablk,  Marquette  County,  Michigan.  This  name  is  supposed  to  be  the  Menomi- 
nee Indian  name  for  "rock"  and  is  descriptive  of  the  locality. 

Wokama,  Stanley  County,  South  Dakota.  Wolama  is  a  Sioux  (Dakota)  Indian 
word  and  means  "a  bargain."  This  name  was  suggested  by  Mr.  Doane 
Robinson,  Secretary  of  the  State  Historical  Society  of  South  Dakota. 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line  135 


Wall,  Pennington  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  from  a  natural  wall  or 
vertical  uprise  of  rock  near  the  town  site. 

Wasta,  Pennington  County,  South  Dakota,  was  so  named  at  the  suggestion 
of  Mr.  Don  no  Robinson,  Secretary  of  the  State  Historical  Society  of 
South  Dakota.  The  word  is  Sioux  (Dakota)  Indian  and  means  "good," 
and  should  be  spelled  Wastah,  but  the  "h"  has  been  dropped  for 
euphony. 

Wicota,  Pennington  County,  South  Dakota.  This  name  is  a  Sioux  (Dakota) 
Indian  word  and  means  "a  crowd."  It  was  suggested  as  the  name 
for  a  Dakota  town  by  Mr.  Doane  Robinson,  Secretary  of  the  State 
Historical  Society  of  South  Dakota,  who  is  anxious  to  see  proper  Indian 
words  perpetuated  by  making  them  the  names  of  places  in  the  State. 

Wahoo,  Saunders  County,  Nebraska,  is  an  Indian  word  and  said  to  be  their 
name  for  a  tree  (the  Ulmus  elatct)  that  grows  in  Nebraska  and  other 
States.  It  is  also  applied  as  the  botanical  name  (Euonymus  atropupureus) 
to  the  "Strawberry"  tree.  In  some  works  the  Indian  word  is  spelled 
Wha-hoo. 

Wakefield,  Gogebic  County,  Michigan,  was  platted  in  18SG  by  the  Milwaukee, 
Lake  Shore  and  Western  Railway,  and  was  named  for  G.  M.  Wakefield 
of  Milwaukee,  Wis.,  who  had  large  land  interests  in  the  vicinity  of  this 
town. 

Wakonda,  Clay  County,  South  Dakota.  The  name  was  suggested  by  Hon. 
W.  H.  H.  Beadle,  an  early  Dakota  Territorial  officer.  It  is  a  Sioux  Indian 
word  from  walcor  or  uuiuLon,  "wonder,"  "marvel,"  "mystery," 
"sacred,"  hence  "medicine."  Freely  rendered  it  means  "this  is  won- 
derful." The  town  was  platted  in  1888  by  the  Western  Town  Lot  Com- 
pany. 

Wald,  Cedar  County,  Iowa.  The  place  was  originally  named  Walden  for 
W.  D.  Walden,  who  for  many  years  was  a  valued  employe  of  the  Chicago 
and  North  Western  Railway.  Its  present  name  is  an  abbreviation  of 
its  original  name. 

Wales,  Waukesha  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  in  honor  of  Wales,  the 
original  home  of  many  of  the  settlers  in  this  locality. 

Wallace,  Menominee  County,  Michigan,  was  named  by  Mellen  Smith  in  1871 
for  a  contractor  who  constructed  the  railroad   through  this  place. 

Wall  Lake,  Sac  County,  Iowa,  was  named  from  a  nearby  lake.  The  lake 
was  named  because  it  was  surrounded  by  rocks  piled  up  by  Nature,  so 
as  to  appear  like  a  wall  built  by  human  agencies.  The  town  was  platted 
in  1877  by  the  Blair  Land  Company. 

Walnut  Grove,  Redwood  County,  Minnesota,  was  named  from  a  large  grove 
of  black  walnut  (Juglans  nigra)  trees  that  stood  near  this  location  when 
the  village  was  established. 

Wanda,  Redwood  County,  Minnesota.  This  name  is  an  elision  of  the  Ojibway 
Indian  word  wanenda  and  means  "to  forget"  or  forgetf  ulness. " 

Waseca,  Waseca  County,  Minnesota,  was  named  from  the  county  by  J.  C. 
Trowbridge,  an  early  settler.  The  word  is  supposed  to  be  from  the  Sioux 
Indian  word  washccho  and  to  mean  "good  hunting  ground"  or  "land  of 
plenty."  The  Indians  also  used  the  word  to  mean  "red  earth"  and 
"red  point." 


136  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 

Washington,  Washington  County,  Nebraska,  was  platted  in  1887  by  the 
Pioneer  Town  Site  Company.  The  town  was  named  from  the  county  and 
that  of  course  was  named  for  George  Washington,  "The  immortal." 

Watch  Factory  (Elgin),  Kane  County,  Illinois,  was  named  from  the  Elgin 
National  Watch  Company's  works  which  were  nearby. 

Watersmeet,  Gogebic  County,  Michigan,  was  platted  in  1884  by  the  Milwaukee, 
Lake  Shore  and  Western  Railway.  It  was  so  named  because  it  is  located 
on  the  high  lands  from  which  the  waters  flow  into  Lake  Superior,  Lake 
Michigan  and  the  Mississippi  River  Valley  respectively.  The  Indian 
name  for  the  place  was  the  word  they  used  for  stating  this  fact. 

Watertown,  Codington  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  at  the  suggestion  of 
John  E.  Kemp,  the  first  settler,  who  had  emigrated  from  Watertown,  New 
York.  It  was  platted  in  1878  by  the  Winona  and  St.  Peter  Railroad  Com- 
pany. 

Watertown,  Jefferson  County,  Wisconsin,  was  formerly  called  Johnson's  Rapids 
for  Timothy  Johnson,  its  first  settler.  It  was  then  named  Watertown  on 
account  of  the  extraordinary  amount  of  water  power  in  Rock  River  on 
which  it  is  located.  The  party  who  named  the  place  had  emigrated  from 
Watertown,  New  York,  and  claimed  that  fact  as  well  as  the  water 
power,  were  good  reasons  for  naming  the  place  Watertown. 

Watkins,  Benton  County,  Iowa,  was  named  for  J.  B.  Watkins,  an  early  officer 
of  the  Chicago  and  North  Western  Railway  Company  in  Iowa. 

Waucedah,  Dickinson  County,  Michigan,  was  named  by  Judge  J.  Ingalls,  one 
of  the  original  owners  of  the  town  site,  from  a  nearby  stream.  The  word 
is  Ojibway  Indian  and  means  "murmuring  waters"  or  "little  talking 
stream. ' ' 

Waukegan,  Lake  County,  Illinois.  Its  first  name  was  Little  Fort,  on  account 
of  a  fort  that  was  there  in  an  early  day.  In  1849  the  name  was  changed 
to  its  present  form,  and  is  said  to  be  the  Indian  translation  of  the  old 
name. 

Waukesha,  Waukesha  County,  Wisconsin.  Its  earliest  name  was  Prairieville. 
In  1856  the  name  was  changed  to  its  present  form.  It  is  from  the 
Pottawattamie  Indian  word  wauk-toh,a,  meaning  "fox,"  and  was  the 
name  of  a  Pottawattamie  Indian  Chief.  This  name  was  by  the  Indians 
applied  to  the  river  that  runs  through  the  place. 

Waunakee,  Dane  County,  Wisconsin,  is  from  the  Indian  word  wanalci,  meaning 
"he  lives"  or  "he  lives  in  peace,"  and  was  given  to  the  place  by  Louis 
Baker  and  George  L.  Fish,  the  original  owners  of  the  town  site  on  the 
suggestion  of  Simeon  Mills,  who  was  skilled  in  the  Indian  languages. 

Wausau,  Marathon  County,  Wisconsin,  is  a  corruption  of  the  Indian  word 
wassa,  meaning  "faraway."  The  town  was  named  by  Walter  D.  Mc- 
Indoe,  a  Scotchman.  He  also  named  the  county.  At  an  earlier  date  the 
Wausau  settlement  was  known  as  Big  Bull  Falls  from  the  French  equivalent, 
given  the  river  and  falls  by  French  voyagers  and  trappers  who  passed  this 
way. 

Wautoma,  AVaushara  County,  Wisconsin.  This  name  was  made  by  adding 
parts  of  two  different  Indian  words,  together,  viz. :  wau  from  waugh  and 
torn  from  Tomah,  and  the  two  thus  united  are  supposed  to  mean  "good 
earth"  or  "good  life,"  "where  to  spend  a  good  life."  Tomah  was  the 
name  of  an  Indian  Chief. 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line  137 


Wayburne,  Eedwood  County,  Minnesota,  was  platted  in  1902  by  the  Western 
Town  Lot  Company.  The  name  is  merely  fanciful  and  has  no  historical 
significance. 

Wayne,  DuPage  County,  Illinois,  was  named  for  General  Anthony  Wayne  of 
the  Revolutionary  War. 

Wayside,  Dawes  County,  Nebraska.  This  name  is  merely  fanciful  and  has  no 
historical  significance. 

Weber,  Cook  County,  Illinois,  was  named  by  and  for  "Barney"  Weber,  who 
owned  a  brick  yard  nearby. 

Webster  City,  Hamilton  County,  Iowa,  was  named  for  Daniel  Webster  of 
Massachusetts.  In  1850  when  it  was  first  platted,  it  was  named  New 
Castle.     The  present  name  was  given  it  in  1856. 

Weedens,  Sheboygan  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  G.  W.  Weeden, 
County  Judge  of  Sheboygan,  Wis. 

Welcome,  Martin  County,  Wisconsin,  was  so  named  to  signify  that  all  good 
citizens  would  be  welcomed  if  they  came  here  to  live. 

Wellington,  Gogebic  County,  Michigan,  was  named  for  C.  L.  Wellington,  an 
officer  of  the  railroad  that  was  first  built  through  this  place. 

Werley,  Grant  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  the  Werley  family,  old 
settlers.  Its  first  name  was  "Climbing  Bock,"  but  that  was  dropped  by 
general  consent  of  the  villagers,  and  the  present  name  substituted. 

Wendte,  Stanley  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  for  H.  S.  Wendte,  a 
German  who  formerly  lived  at  Ponca,  Nebraska.  At  one  time  it  was 
named  Lance  Creek,  from  a  nearby  stream,  on  the  banks  of  which  the 
Black  or  Water  Ash  (Fraxinus  sambucifola)  grew,  and  which  the 
Indians  used  for  spear  handles,  staves,  battle  axe  handles,  etc.,  etc. 
The  whites  gave  it  the  name  Lance  Creek,  because  they  thought  this 
wood  resembled  the  celebrated  "Lance  wood"  that  grows  in  Brazil, 
Cuba,  etc.    Finally  the  name  was  fixed  as  Wendte. 

Wahaba,  Fremont  County,  Wyoming.  This  town  was  platted  by  the  Pioneer 
Town  Site  Company  and  was  named  by  it.  The  word  is  from  the 
Arapahoe  Indian  language  and  means  "corn"  (maize). 

Wessington,  Beadle  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  from  a  nearby  range  of 
hills  that  had  been  a  landmark  for  the  early  explorers  and  travellers  for 
many  years  before  the  railroad  reached  this  spot.  These  hills  were  named 
by  and  for  a  teamster  of  that  name,  who,  under  Colonel  W.  H.  Nobles,  in 
1857  laid  out  a  road  to  the  Missouri  Eiver.  This  Mr.  Wessington  also  dis- 
covered the  medicinal  springs  in  the  hills,  thirty  miles  south  of  this  station. 

West  Bend,  Washington  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  the  west  bend 
of  the  Milwaukee  Eiver  on  which  the  village  is  located. 

West  Chicago,  DuPage  County,  Illinois.  It  was  first  called  "the  Junction" 
from  the  fact  that  it  was  the  only  junction  on  any  railroad  west  of 
Chicago.  To  honor  John  B.  Turner,  the  President  of  the  Galena  and 
Chicago  Union  Bailroad,  it  was  named  Turner  Junction,  and  afterwards 
Turner.  In  an  evil  day,  real  estate  speculators  and  "boomers,"  induced 
the  people  to  drop  the  old  and  honored  name  and  to  adopt  the  present 
one. 

West  Elgin,  Kane  County,  Illinois,  is  in  the  City  of  Elgin  (which  see). 


138  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 

West  Gladstone,  Delta  County,  Michigan,  was  so  named  because  of  its  nearness 
to  and  connection  with  the  City  of  Gladstone.  That  city  was  named  for 
W.  E.  Gladstone,  the  English  statesman. 

West  Point,  Cuming  County,  Nebraska,  was  so  named  because  when  established, 
it  was  the  most  westerly  point  that  was  settled  in  the  valley  of  the 
Elkhorn  River. 

West  Allis,  Milwaukee  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  North  Greenfield  by 
S.  Ml.  Dixon  of  Milwaukee,  because  the  town  was  located  on  the  north 
line  of  the  township  of  Greenfield.  The  township  was  named  from  its 
general  appearance.  The  postoffice  is  "West  Allis  and  the  name  of  the 
village  has  been  made  to  conform  to  that  of  the  postoffice.  The  postoffice 
was  named  for  E.  P.  Allis  a  prominent  manufacturer  of  Milwaukee. 

West  Rapids,  Linn  County,  Iowa.  This  name  merely  indicates  a  point  that 
is  shown  on  the  time  table  of  the  road.  The  name  has  no  historical 
significance.    Is  a  portion  of  the  city  of  Cedar  Kapids  (which  see). 

West  Salem,  LaCrosse  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  Salem,  Massa- 
chusetts. The  word  "West"  was  added  to  distinguish  it  from  another 
Salem  in  Wisconsin.  It  was  once  called  Neshonic,  the  local  spelling  of 
the  name  of  an  Indian  Chief,  whose  band  lived  here  in  an  early  day. 

West  Side,  Crawford  County,  Iowa,  was  so  named  because  it  was  the  first 
town  on  the  railroad  west  of  the  high  lands  that  divide  the  waters  that 
flow  into  the  Missouri  and  Mississippi  Valleys  respectively. 

What  Cheer,  Keokuk  County,  Iowa,  was  named  by  a  Scotch  miner  when  he 
discovered  coal  in  the  vicinity.  It  was  an  exclamation  of  gladness  and 
was  attached  to  the  town  under  the  belief  that  the  mines  would  give  it 
prosperity. 

Wheatland,  Clinton  County,  Iowa,  was  named  by  John  L.  Bennett,  from  the 
Pennsylvania  home   of   President   James  Buchanan. 

Wheaton,  DuPage  County,  Illinois,  was  named  for  Warren  L.  Wheaton,  who 
owned  much  land  in  the  vicinity.  He  gave  the  railroad  company  tho 
right  of  way  through  his  land,  but  would  not  consent  to  have  a  station 
located  on  it,  as  he  "did  not  believe  in  making  money  from  the  sale  of 
land." 

Wheelerwood,  Cerro  Gordo  County,  Iowa,  was  named  for  J.  S.  Wheeler,  who 
owned  much  land  in  this  vicinity  when  the  town  was  laid  out. 

Whitcomb,  Shawano  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  to  honor  H.  P.  Whitcomb 
of  Milwaukee,  a  valued  officer  of  the  railroad  company  that  built  to 
and  through  this  place. 

Whitefish  Bay,  Milwaukee  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  the  nearby 
Bay.  This  place  was  so  named  at  an  early  day  because  it  was  the 
favorite  feeding  ground  for  whitefish,  and  fishing  ground  for  fishermen. 

Whitewood,  Lawrence  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  from  Whitewood 
Creek  and  Whitewood  Gulch,  and  these  were  named  from  the  white  barked 
trees  (Populus  tremuloides,  Quaking  Aspen),  that  grows  along  the  creek.  It 
was  laid  out  in  1888  by  the  Pioneer  Town  Site  Company. 

Whiting,  Monona  County,  Iowa,  was  named  by  John  T.  Blair  for  Judge 
Charles  E.  Whiting,  a  large  farmer  and  prominent  citizen  who  lived 
nearbv. 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line  139 

Whitney,  Menominee  County,  Michigan,  was  named  for  one  of  the  owners  of  the 
Lake  Superior  and  Pittsburgh  Iron  Mines,  that  built  and  operated  char- 
coal kilns  nearby. 

Whitney,  Dawes  County,  Nebraska.  This  station  was  first  called  Earth 
Lodge,  that  being  the  English  translation  of  the  Indian  name  of  the 
Creek  on  which  the  station  is  located.  The  people  who  settled  here,  after 
the  station  was  established,  did  not  like  this  name  and  insisted  on  having 
it  called  Whitney,  after  Mr.  Peter  Whitney,  an  old  and  valued  employe 
of  the  Chicago  and  North  Western  Eailway  Company. 

Whitelaw,  Manitowoc  County,  Wisconsin.  This  place  was  originally  called 
Pine  Grove  Siding  and  afterwards  Pine  Grove,  from  a  nearby  grove  of 
Pine  trees.  Its  name  was  changed  in  1907  to  Whitelaw,  to  honor  a 
nearby  property  owner. 

Whitson  Junction,  Iowa  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  by  Henry  Baker  from 
a  place   in   England.     The   name   of   the  postoffice   is   Edmund. 

Whitten,  Ilardin  County,  Iowa,  was  named  for  C.  C.  Whitten,  of  Tama,  Iowa, 

who  was  instrumental  in  getting  a  railroad  built  through  this  part  of  the 

State. 
Wilcox,  Marinette    County,   Wisconsin.     This   place   was   named   for   an   early 

settler  of  the  vicinity. 
Wild  Eose,  Waushara  County,  Wisconsin,  was  so  named  because  of  the  great 

abundance  of  wild  roses  that  grew  all  around  this  locality  when  the  town 

was  laid  out. 
Williams   Bay,   Walworth    County,   Wisconsin,   was   named   for   Captain   Israel 

Williams,  who  bought  in  1837  the  land  now  occupied  by  the  village. 

Willow,  Kenosha  County,  Wisconsin.  This  name  merely  indicates  a  point  that 
is  shown  on  the  timetable  of  the  road.  It  was  named  from  the  many 
willows   (Salix)  trees  that  grow  in  the  vicinity. 

Wilmette,  Cook  County,  Illinois,  was  named  by  Judge  H.  W.  Blodgett,  of  Wau- 
kegan  for  Ouihnette  an  Indian  half-breed. 

Wilson,  Menominee  County,  Michigan.  Its-  earliest  name  was  Ferry,  and  it 
was  so  named  for  W.  H.  Ferry  who  owned  land  in  the  vicinity.  The  namo 
was  afterwards  changed  to  honor  the  Wilson  family  who  owned  a  mill 
nearby. 

Wilton,  Monroe  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  the  township  of  Wilton 
in  Vermont,  by  emigrants  from  there. 

Winchester,  Iron  County,  Wisconsin.  Until  January  20,  1908,  this  place  was 
called  Divide,  which  see.  The  present  name  came  from  Winchester,  a 
city  in  Fredrick  County,  Virginia,  which  was  named  from  the  town  in  Eng- 
land. 

Winde,  Delta  County,  Michigan,  was  named  for  Herman  Winde,  one  of  the 
pioneers  of  this  part  of  Michigan.  Originally  the  place  was  called 
Perkins,  for  an  early  settler  of  the  locality. 

Wlnfield,  DuPage  County,  Illinois.  Its  earlier  name  was  Warren.  Its  present 
name  was  given  it  to  honor  General  Winfield  Scott  of  the  United  States 
Army,  by  the  board  that  was  appointed  to  name  all  the  townships  in  the 
county. 


140  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 

Winnebago,  Winnebago  County,  Illinois,  was  named  from  the  county  and 
that  was  named  for  the  Indian  tribe.  The  name  means  "The  people  of 
the  stinking  waters,"  or  "men  of  (or  from)  the  bad  smelling  waters." 
The  original  word  was  Ouinepeg  or  Ouinepego.  The  word  Winnipeg, 
comes  from  the  same  word. 

Winnetka,  Cook  County,  Illinois,  is  an  Indian  word  meaning  "Beautiful 
place."     One  or  more  Indian  Chiefs  were  named  Winnetka. 

Winnetoon,  Knox  County,  Nebraska.  It  was  named  by  W.  F.  Fitch,  then 
Manager  of  the  railroad  that  runs  through  the  place.  It  is  from  the 
name  of  a  farm  in  Dane  County,  Wisconsin,  owned  by  Nathan  Deane,  a 
prominent  citizen  of  that  county. 

Winona,  Winona  County,  Minnesota.  Is  a  Sioux  Indian  word  and  mean* 
"the  first  born  daughter."  The  Indian  word  was  sometimes  spelled 
wenona  and  again  weenonah. 

Winthrop  Harbor,  Lake  County,  Illinois,  was  for  many  years  called  State 
Line  and  after  that,  Spring  Bluff,  (because  of  many  fine  springs  that 
flowed  from  the  foot  of  the  lake  bluff).  Its  present  name  was  given  it 
in  1889  by  J.  H.  Van  Vlissengen  when  trying  to  convert  the  place  into  a 
manufacturing  town.     The  name  came  from  Winthrop  in  Massachusetts. 

Wisner,  Cuming  County,  Nebraska,  was  named  by  John  I.  Blair  for  Judge 
Samuel  P.  Wisner  of  Cedar  Eapids,  Iowa,  who  was  prominent  in  the 
affairs  of  the  Fremont,  Elkhorn  and  Missouri  Valley  Bailroad,  when  it 
was  built  to  this  place. 

Wittenburg,  Shawano  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  the  home  town  of 
Martin  Luther,  Wittenburg,  in  Saxony,  Germany,  and  for  the  University  in 
that  town.  This  place  was  named  as  above  in  honor  of  the  many  Luther- 
ans who  lived  in  this  vicinity  when  the  town  was  located  and  named. 

Wolton,  Natrona  County,  Wyoming  was  named  from  the  fact  that  it  was  the 
center  of  wool  shipping  and  sheep  shearing  of  this  part  of  the  state.  The 
place  was  originally  called  "Wooltown"  but  was  changed  to  Wolton  for 
euphony. 

Womac,  Macoupin  County,  Illinois.  This  town  was  started  in  1870  and  was 
named  in  1876  by  and  for  John  J.  Womac,  who  had  a  "country  store" 
here  and  who  owned  large  tracts  of  farm  land  in  the  neighborhood. 

Wolsey,  Beadle  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  for  Cardinal  Thomas 
Wolsey,  the  British  Prelate. 

Wonewoc,  Juneau  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  by  DeLand  Pratt,  the 
original  owner  of  the  town  site.  It  is  a  corruption  of  the  Indian  word 
won-a-wag  meaning  ' '  they  howl ' '  referring  to  the  wolves. 

Woodbine,  Harrison  County,  Iowa,  was  named  from  the  "Woodbine"  or 
"Virginia  Creeper"  (the  Avipelopies  quinquefolia)  that  was  very  plenti- 
ful here  when  the  country  was  first  settled. 

Woodhull,  Fond  du  Lac  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  General  Nathaniel 
Woodhull,  a  Revolutionary  officer. 

Wood  Lake,  Cherry  County,  Nebraska,  was  named  from  a  nearby  lake.  The 
Lake  was  so  named  because  around  its  shores  was  about  the  only  wood 
(timber)  that  could  be  found  in  this  vicinity. 

Woodman,  Grant  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  to  honor  Captain  E.  E.  Wood- 
man of  St.  Paul,  Minnesota,  a  valued  officer  of  the  railroad  company, 
who  was  active  in  securing  the  right  of  way  for  the  railroad  here. 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line  141 


Woodruff,  Vilaa  County,  Wisconsin,  was  platted  by  the  Milwaukee,  Lake 
Shore  and  Western  Kailway  in  1888,  and  was  named  for  Mr.  Woodruff, 
of  Sands  and  Woodruff  (a  friend  of  President  F.  W.  Rhinclander),  who 
was  interested  in  the  railroad. 

Woodstock,  McHenry  County,  Illinois,  was  named  in  1854  by  Joel  H.  Johnson, 
a  director  of  the  railroad,  from  his  native  place,  Woodstock,  Vermont. 
That  place  was  named  from  the  town  in  England.  Before  this  village  in 
Illinois  was  named  Woodstock,  it  was  called  "Centerville"  on  account 
of  its  being  in  the  geographical  center  of  the  county. 

Woodworth,  Kenosha  County,  Wisconsin.  The  original  name  was  Bristol,  and 
was  named  for  Bev.  Ira  Bristol,  an  early  settler.  The  next  town  was 
named  West  Bristol  (now  Bristol),  and  to  prevent  confusion,  the  present 
name  was  selected.  This  name  was  that  of  the  original  owner  of  the 
town  site. 

Wyeville,  Monroe  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  its  location  Necedah 
Junction,  as  it  was  at  the  junction  of  the  railroad  that  runs  eastwardly 
to  Necedah.  The  postoffice  is  called  Wyeville,  which  is  a  corruption  of 
Wythe,  the  name  of  a  county  in  Virginia,  and  from  which  this  postoffice 
was  named.  The  original  name  was  dropped  and  its  present  name  agrees 
with  that  of  the  postoffice. 

Woolstock,  Wright  County,  Iowa,  was  platted  by  the  Western  Town  Lot 
Company  in  1881,  and  the  name  was  made  by  Gilbert  Perry  for  the  oc- 
casion. It  had  no  meaning  or  relation  to  anything  connected  with  the 
place.  It  is  merely  the  name  of  the  village  and  was  invented  out  of  the 
two  syllables  that  form  it. 

Wright,  Mahaska  County,  Iowa,  was  named  for  a  nearby  land  owner. 

Wrightstown,  Brown  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  Joel  Wright,  the 
original  owner  of  the  town  site.     At  one  time  it  was  called  Bridgeport. 

Yankton,  Yankton  County,  South  Dakota.  The  name  is  a  corruption  of  the 
Sioux  Indian  name  I  (or  E)  hank-ton-wan,  meaning  "the  end  village,"  and 
refers  to  the  time  when  the  Yankton  Indians  camped  at  the  end  of  Spirit 
Lake  in  the  Minnesota  woods  before  they  were  forced  out  by  the 
Ojibways  (Chippewas)  and  were  obliged  to  live  on  the  prairies.  In  con- 
nection with  the  name  Yankton  it  may  be  well  to  mention  the  fact  that 
at  treaty  was  made  near  this  point  in  1858  with  the  Yanktonaise  (Yank- 
ton Sioux)  by  which  they  relinquished  their  claims  to  the  land  in  this 
vicinity  and  that  this  treaty  resulted  in  a  great  rush  of  white  settlers  to 
the  southern  part  of  the  state.  Eecently  a  monument  has  been  erected 
for  these  Yanktonaise  at  Greenwood,  South  Dakota,  the  present  home  of 
this  tribe  to  perpetuate  the  memory  of  this  treaty.  The  face  of  the 
monument  bears  this  inscription:  "To  commemorate  the  treaty  between 
the  United  States  of  America  and  the  Yankton  Tribe  of  Sioux  or  Dakota 
Indians;  concluded  at  Washington,  D.  C,  April  19,  1858;  Ratified  by  the 
Senate,  February  16,  1859."  Around  the  base  runs  the  line:  "Ihanktun- 
wan — Yankton — Dakota — Sioux."  The  second  side  reads:  "In  mem- 
ory of  the  Yankton  chiefs  who  made  the  treaty  of  1858 — Struck-by-the- 
Ree,  Black  Bear,  Medicine  Cow,  White  Swan,  Pretty  Boy,  Feather-in-the- 
Ear,  Crazy  Bull,  Frank  Deloria."  The  third  side  reads:  "Delegates 
who  signed  the  treaty  of  1858— Charles  Picotte,  Jumping  Thunder, 
Mazahetun,   Numkalipa,   Running  Bull,   Walking   Elk,   Standing   Elk,   Sad 


142  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 

Voice  Elk,  Cetanwokape,  Hinnanwieasa. "  The  fourth  face  of  the  monu- 
ment reads:  "The  tribal  councilors  who  kept  the  peace,  and  saw  that  the 
agreements  of  the  fifty  year  treaty  were  all  fulfilled — Fat  Mandan, 
Kidowanpi,  Iron  Necklace,  Tunkannahomni,  Little  Bird,  Mad  Walking, 
Big  Voice  Bear,  Susnakeduta,  Sunkamanomani,  Little  Thunder,  Lean  Elk, 
His  Fly  Pipe,  John  Eee,  Frank  Jandreau. "  Major  A.  H.  Kedfield,  U.  S. 
Indan  agent  set  up  his  tent  at  the  Yankton  agency  and  remained  there 
and  thus  may  be  said  to  be  the  first  permanent  resident  of  the  county. 

York,  York  County,  Nebraska,  was  named  from  the  county  and  that  was 
named  for  a  prominent  pioneer  resident  family. 

Zaneta,  Grundy  County,  Iowa.  This  is  merely  a  fanciful  name  made  out 
of  the  first  syllable  of  Zanesville,  added  to  the  letters  "ta"  for  euphony. 

Zachow,  Shawano  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  W.  C.  Zachow,  a  large 
land  owner  of  the  vicinity.  It  was  once  named  Netley  for  a  nearby 
settler,  but  was  changed  to  honor  Mr.  Zachow. 

Zell,  Faulk  County,  South  Dakota,  was  platted  in  I8S6  by  the  Western  Town 
Lot  Company  and  was  named  from  one  of  the  several  "Zells"  of  Germany, 
Austria  and  Switzerland. 

Zion  City,  Lake  County,  Illinois,  was  named  by  J.  A.  Dowie  from  Mount  Zion 
in  Palestine. 

Zumbrota,  Goodhue  County,  Minnesota,  was  named  from  the  common  name 
of  the  nearby  river.  This  is  a  corruption  of  its  French  name  Evibarrass, 
which  means  "obstruction,"  and  was  so  named  because  the  boats  of  th« 
French  traders  were  retarded  and  their  course  obstructed  by  much  fallen 
timber  in  the  river  and  by  the  shoals  and  falls  and  rapids  in  it.  The 
river  is  often  called  the  Zumbro,  which  is  the  way  the  French  word  named 
above  sounded  to  the  first  white  settlers,  who  followed  the  French  trappen 
on  this  stream. 


AS  TO  THE 


CHICAGO  &  NORTH  WESTERN  RAILWAY. 

ABANDONED  NAMES. 

The  following  names,  in  an  early  day,  were  applied  to  towns  and  villages 

along  the  line  of  this  road.  For  various  reasons  these  names  were  abandoned 
and  the  current  ones  were  substituted.  In  cases  where  the  name  of  the  post 
office  varies  from  that  of  the  town  or  station  the  post  office  name  will  also 
be  found  in  this  list: 

Abandoned  Name.  Current  Name. 

Altoona See  Hitchcock,  Beadle  County,  South  Dakota. 

Areola "  Arco,  Lincoln  County,  Minnesota 

Ayr "  Crandon,  Forest   County,  Wisconsin 

Amesville "  Garden  Prairie,  Boone  County,  Illinois. 

Ableman's  Mills "  Ablemans,  Sauk  County,  Wisconsin. 

Aetna "  Malta,  DeKalb  County,  Illinois. 

Aplington "  Eleanor,  Butler  County,  Iowa. 

Atkinson   "  Hazel,  Iron  County,  Michigan. 

Atla   "  Hudson,  Fremont  County,  Wyoming. 

Astor   "  Green  Bay,  Brown  County,  Wisconsin. 

Blue   Cut    "  Amber,  Jones  County,  Iowa. 

Big  Woods "  Batavia,  Kane  County,  Illinois. 

Bradley   "  Arlington  Heights,  Cook  County,  Illinois. 

Bradford   "  Broadmoor,  Stark  County,  Ilinois. 

Bluff  Point    "  Turin,  Monona  County,  Iowa. 

Bay  City    "  Ashland,  Ashland  County,  Wisconsin. 

Belle  Plaine "  Cuyler,  Cook  County,  Illinois. 

Bell  Creek   "  Arlington,  Washington  County,  Nebraska. 

Belleville    "  Johnson's  Creek,  Jefferson  County,  Wisconsin. 

Bedford   "  Dotson,  Brown  County,  Minnesota. 

Barkville    "  Bark  River,  Delta  County,  Michigan. 

Blackberry    ; '  Elburn,  Kane  County,  Illinois. 

Bear  Grove "  Byron,  Olmsted  County,  Minnesota. 

Burnt  Bluffs    "  Foster  City,  Dickinson  County,  Michigan. 

Bagnorsville    "  Howells,  Colfax  County,  Nebraska. 

Butler    "  Cherry  Valley,  Winnebago  County,  Illinois. 

Buschville    "  Howells,  Colfax  County,  Nebraska. 

Bass  Creek "  Hanover,  Rock  County,  Wisconsin. 

Bullwinkle    "  Helenville,  Jefferson  County,  Wisconsin. 

Big  Bull  Falls "  Wausau,  Marathon  County,  Wisconsin. 

Boyer  Falls  "  Logan,  Harrison  County,  Iowa. 

Bachelor's  Grove   "  Footville,  Rock  County,  Wisconsin. 

Babcock's  Grove    "  Lombard,  DuPage  County,  Illinois. 

Bowen    "  Harrison,  Sioux  County,  Nebraska. 

Bloom    "  North  Freedom,  Sauk  County,  Wisconsin. 


144 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 


Abandoned  Name. 

Big  Bend   See 

Brickton 

Bark  River  

Bramhall    

Bundy    

Buxton   

Belmont   

Burns 

Benton    

Burnett 

Bovine    

Bristol    

Bridgeport 

Ceresco   

Call's  Grove   

Cross  Plains 

Clintonville   

Columbus    

Conrad's  Grove   

Clinton   

Center  Grove 

Cheyenne  Pit , 

Como  , 

Chetek  

Clybourn  Place 

Clarksville  

Calahan 

Cottage  Hill 

Cainville 

Charleston   

Chaplin    

Coda    

Cardona    

Canfield    

Centerville 

Centerville 

Centerville 

Centerville 

Cochronville    

Centralia  

Chittenden 

Clark  Center 

Charleston    

Climbing  Rock 

Day's  River 

Dunton   

De  Mores 

Dement 

Des  Plaines  River  Sta. 


Current  Name. 
Tracy,  Lyoii  County,  Minnesota. 
Park  Ridge,  Cook  County,  Illinois. 
Narenta,  Delta  County,  Michigan. 
Ree  Heights,  Hand  County,  South  Dakota. 
Jeffris,  Lincoln  County,  Wisconsin. 
Sawyer,  Fillmore  County,  Nebraska. 
Leslie,  LaFayette  County,  Wisconsin. 
Springfield,  Brown  County,  Minnesota. 
Leach,  Lake  County,  Illinois. 
Tilden,  Madison  County,  Nebraska. 
Van  Metre,  Lyman  County,  South  Dakota. 
Woodworth,  Kenosha  County,  Wisconsin. 
Wrightstown,  Brown  County,  Wisconsin. 
Ripon,  Fond  du  Lac  County,  Wisconsin. 
Algona,  Kossuth  County,  Iowa. 
Cobb,  Iowa  County,  Wisconsin. 
South  Elgin,  Kane  County,  Illinois. 
Cedar  Rapids,  Linn  County,  Iowa. 
Conrad,  Grundy  County,  Iowa. 
Clintonville,  Waupaca  County,  Wisconsin. 
Douglas,  Olmsted  County,  Minnesota. 
Oral,  Fall  River  County,  South  Dakota. 
Clybourn  Junction,  Cook  County,  Illinois. 
Hitchcock,  Beadle  County,  South  Dakota. 
Jewell  Junction,  Hamilton  County,  Iowa. 
Elmhurst,  DuPage  County,  Illinois. 
Magnolia,  Rock  County,  Wisconsin. 
Midway,  La  Crosse  County,  Wisconsin. 
Franklin  Grove,  Lee  County,  Illinois. 
Morse,  Bureau  County,  Illinois. 
Gait,  Whiteside  County,  Illinois. 
Tracy,  Lyon  County,  Minnesota. 
Imogene,  Martin  County,  Minnesota. 
Edison  Park,  Cook  County,  Illinois. 
Lathrop,  Delta  County,  Michigan. 
Cleveland,  Manitowoc  County,  Wisconsin. 
Plainview,  Wabasha  County,  Minnesota. 
Woodstock,  McHenry  County,  Illinois. 
Ridott,  Stephenson  County,  Illinois. 
Grand  Rapids,  Wood  County,  Wisconsin. 
Rose  Hill,  Cook  County,  Illinois. 
Clark,  Clark  County,  South  Dakota. 
St.  Charles,  Kane  County,  Illinois. 
Werley,  Grant  County,  Wisconsin. 
Brampton,  Delta  County,  Michigan. 
Arlington  Heights,  Cook  County,  Illinois. 
Belle  Fourche,  Butte  County,  South  Dakota. 
Creston,  Ogle  County,  Ilinois. 
River  Forest,  Cook  County,  Illinois. 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 


145 


Abandoned  Name.  Cubkent  Name. 

Dogwood    See  Saxon,  Iron  County,  Wisconsin. 

Dover   Center "  Dover,  Olmsted  County,  Minnesota. 

Denniss   "  Buckingham,  Tama  County,  Iowa. 

Dowville    "  Dow  City,  Crawford  County,  Iowa. 

Dakotah   "  Dakota  City,  Humboldt  County,  Iowa. 

Decco    "  Town  Line,  Sheboygan  County,  Wisconsin. 

Defeve    "  Galena,  Jo  Daviess  County,  Illinois. 

Danby "  Glen  Ellyn,  DuPage  County,  Illinois. 

Derby    "  Guckeen,  Faribault  County,  Minnesota. 

Deerfield    "  Narenta,  Delta  County,  Michigan. 

EUig    "  Green  Bay,  Brown  County,  Wisconsin. 

East  Orange   "  Alton,  Sioux  County,  Iowa. 

Edmund    "  Whitson  Junction,  Iowa  County,  Wisconsin. 

Elk  Grove   "  Arlington  Heights,  Cook  County,  Illinois. 

Eagle  Grove  Junct, "  Eage  Grove,  Wright  County,  Iowa. 

Earl "  Earlville,  La  Salle  County,  Illinois. 

Eldon    "  Eldorado,  Fond  du  Lac  County,  Wisconsin. 

Ell  Eoy ' '  Elroy,  Juneau  County,  Wisconsin. 

Empire    "  Janesville,  Waseca  County,  Minnesota. 

Earth  Lodge "  Whitney,  Dawes  County,  Nebraska. 

East  Mapleton   "  Mapleton,  Monona  County,  Iowa. 

Fort  Des  Moines "  Des  Moines,  Polk  County,  Iowa. 

Fort  Clark "  Peoria,  Peoria  County,  Illinois. 

Fremont   "  Baldwin,  Jackson  County,  Iowa. 

Fort  Creve  Coeur "  Peoria,  Peoria  County,  Illinois. 

Farnham ' '  Farnhamville,  Calhoun  County,  Iowa. 

Forsythe "  Little  Lake,  Marquette  County,  Michigan. 

Fennimore  Center "  Fennimore,  Grant  County,  Wisconsin. 

Felton "  Hetland,  Kingsbury  County,  South  Dakota. 

Fletcher    "  Lake  View,  Sac  County,  Iowa. 

Fort  Howard "  Green  Bay,  Brown  County,  Wisconsin. 

Fairview    "  Manchester,  Kingsbury  County,  South  Dakota. 

Florida    "  Panola,  Iron  County,  Michigan. 

Fish  Creek "  Rockland,  La  Crosse  County,  Wisconsin. 

Fairview "  Story,  Story  County,  Iowa. 

Peny    "  Wilson,  Menominee  County,  Michigan. 

Floyd's  Bluffs "  Sargeant  's  Bluffs,  Woodbury  County,  Iowa. 

Genoa    "  Genoa  Junction,  Walworth  County,  Wisconsin. 

Grosse "  Little  Suamico,  Oconto  County,  Wisconsin. 

Grove  Siding "  Whitelaw,  Manitowoc  County,  Wisconsin. 

Grandview  "  Ghent,  Lyon  County,  Minnesota. 

Grabtown "  Cherry  Valley,  Winnebago  County,  Illinois. 

Grenville    "  Granville,  Sioux  County,  Iowa. 

Graball   ' '  Cherry  Valley,  Winnebago  County,  Illinois. 

Grospied  ' '  Lake  Geneva,  Walworth  County,  Wisconsin. 

Gayvills    "  Black  Tail,  Lawrence  County,  South  Dakota, 

Grand  View "  Leslie,  LaFayette  County,  Wisconsin. 

Grand  Trunk  Junct "     Stiles  Junction,  Oconto  County,  Wisconsin. 

Germantown    "     Rockfield,  Washington  County,  Wisconsin. 


116 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 


AUANDONFD   NAME. 

Gracy's  Crossing See 

Gulbrand    " 

Hunkins  ' ' 

Harrisville " 

Hubbell    " 

Hohenzollern " 

Halfway  Creek ' ' 

Hazelhurst    " 

Hanson  " 

Harlem   " 

Hart's  Bluffs " 

Hemlock " 

Harsted    " 

Helgason    " 

Harmon    " 

Havelock    " 

Hampton    " 

Harvey  " 

Hill  River  " 

Ingham ' ' 

Ida " 

Iuka    " 

Irvington   " 

Junction " 

Jessie  Benton  Fremont . .  " 

Johnson's  Rapids " 

Jane    " 

Junction " 

Kanesville   " 

Kintyre    ' ' 

Kane  " 

Keaton   " 

Kent   " 

Kinson    " 

Kishwaukee " 

Kelnerville    " 

Kane   " 

Kettlestring's  Grove  ..." 

Loran    " 

Lexington    " 

Lancaster " 

La  Vallette " 

Lone  Star   " 

Lac  Verde  " 

Lamberton  " 

Leone    " 

Le  Petite  Chutes " 

Little  Kaukauna " 

Le  Ville  de  Maillot " 


Current  Name. 
Terra  Cotta,  McHenry  County,  Illinois. 
Northwood,  Worth  County,  Iowa. 
Cordova,  Seward  County,  Nebraska. 
Cato,  Manitowoc  County,  Wisconsin. 
Kelley,  Story  County,  Iowa. 
Schleswig,  Crawford  County,  Iowa. 
Midway,  La  Crosse  County,  Wisconsin. 
McNaughton,  Oneida  County,  Wisconsin. 
Evan,  Brown  County,  Wisconsin. 
Oak  Park,  Cook  County,  Illinois. 
Council  Bluffs,  Pottawattamie  County,  Towa. 
Basswood,  Iron  County,  Michigan. 
Porter,  Yellow  Medicine.  County,  Minnesota. 
Capron,  Boone  County,  Illinois. 
Evan,  Brown  County,  Minnesota. 
Rose  Hill,  Cook  County,  Illinois. 
St.  Charles,  Gregory  County,  South  Dakota. 
Gentian,  Marquette  County,  Michigan. 
Montello,  Marquette  County,  Wisconsin. 
Cottonwood,  Stanley  County,  South  Dakota. 
Elrod,  Clark  County,  South  Dakota. 
Tama,  Tama  County,  Iowa. 
Irving  Park,  Cook  County,  Illinois. 
Elmo,  Grant  County,  Wisconsin. 
Fremont,  Dodge  County,  Nebraska. 
Watertown,  Jefferson  County,  Wisconsin. 
Janesville,  Waseca  County,  Minnesota. 
West  Chicago,  DuPage  County,  Illinois. 
Council  Bluffs,  Pottawattamie  County,  Towa. 
Argyle,  Winnebago  County,  Illinois. 
Elburn,  Kane  County,  Illinois. 
Castlewood,  Hamlin  Couuty,  South  Dakota. 
Garvin,  Lyon  County,  Minnesota. 
Hazel,  Iron  County,  Michigan. 
Hartland,  McHenry  County,  Illinois. 
Kellner,  Portage  Couuty,  Wisconsin. 
La  Fox,  Kane  County,  Illinois. 
Oak  Park,  Cook  County,  Illinois. 
Loretto,  Boone  County,  Nebraska. 
Anamosa,  Jones  County,  Iowa. 
Lincoln,  Lancaster  County,  Nebraska. 
Avenue,  Cook  County,  Illinois. 
Dwight,  Butler  County,  Nebraska. 
Green  Lake,  Green  Lake  County,  Wisconsin. 
County  Line,  Racine  County,  Wisconsin. 
Leona,  Forest  County,  Wisconsin. 
Little  Chutes,  Outagamie  County,  Wisconsin. 
Little  Rapids,  Brown  County,  Wisconsin. 
Peoria,  Peoria  County,  Illinois. 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 


147 


Abandoned  Namk. 

L'Eau  qu  Court See 

Lead.  City 

Loveland's  Mills   

Lane   

Lakeside 

Lombardville 

Lake  Kampeska 

Little  Fort 

Lance  Creek  

Lee    

Lone  Tree    

Lodi    

Linwood  

Montana 

Minersville    

Morse    

Marshall 

Miles  City 

Middleton    

Menominee  River  June . 

Miller's  Hill  

Montarville   

Morgan 

Minden  

Marquisville    

Maple  Hill 

Midway    

Morton  Siding   

Mead 

Midway    

Masonic  Grove 

Mitchell   

Missouri  Valley  Junct. 

Montrose    

Melrose 

Mason  Long   

Navarino    

Nordland    

Nunda 

Netley 

New  Albany 

Newark    

New  York   

New  Cassel 

North  Branch 

Nettle  Hill 

New  Jefferson 

Nordland    

North  Greenfield 


CuitiiK.vi   Name. 
Niobrara,  Knox  County,  Nebraska. 
Lead,  Lawrence  County,  South  Dakota. 
Loveland,  Pottawattamie  County,  Iowa. 
Bochelle,  Ogle  County,  Illinois. 
Hubbard  Woods,  Cook  County,  Illinois. 
Morse,  Bureau  County,  Illinois. 
Kampeska,  Codington  County,  South  Dakota. 
Waukegan,  Lake  County,  Illinois. 
Wendt,  Stanley  County,  South  Dakota. 
Bruce,  Brookings  County.  South  Dakota. 
Porter,  Yellow  Medicine  County,  Minnesota. 
Maple  Park,  Kane  County,  Illinois. 
Mosling,  Oconto  County,  Wisconsin. 
Boone,  Boone  County,  Iowa. 
Dodgeville,  Iowa  County,  Wisconsin. 
Morso  Bluffs,  Saunders  County,  Nebraska. 
Marshalltown,  Marshall  County,  Iowa. 
Deadwood,  Lawrence  County,  South  Dakota. 
Afton,  Eock  County,  Wisconsin. 
Powrers,  Menominee  County.  Michigan. 
Council  Bluffs,  Pottawattamie  County,  Iowa. 
Trempeleau,  Trempeleau  County,  Wisconsin. 
Gilfillan,  Bedwood  County,  Minnesota. 
Crandon,  Spink  County,  South  Dakota. 
Saylor,  Polk  County,  Iowa. 
Gridley,  Emmet  County,  Iowa. 
Bockford,  Winnebago  County,  Illinois. 
Galbraith,  Kossuth  County,  Iowa. 
Hebron,  McHenry  County,  Illinois. 
Jordan,  Boone  County,  Iowa. 
Mason   City,   Cerro    Gordo   County,   Iowa. 
Harrison,  Lincoln  County,  Wisconsin. 
Missouri  Valley,  Harrison  County,  Iowa. 
Mnyfair,   Cook   County,  Illinois. 
Melrose  Park,  Cook  County,  Illinois. 
Mason  City,  Cerro  Gordo  County,  Iowa. 
Green  Bay,  Brown  County,  Wisconsin. 
Arlington,  Kingsbury  County,  South  Dakota. 
Crystal   Lake,   McHenry   County,  Illinois. 
Zachow,   Shawano    County,   Wisconsin. 
Beloit,  Eock  County,  Wisconsin. 
Barton,  Washington  County,  Wisconsin. 
Clinton,  Clinton  County,  Iowa. 
Campbellsport,  Fond  du  Lac  County,  Wisconsin. 
Cobden,  Brown  County,  Minnesota. 
Cato,  Manitowoc  County,  Wisconsin. 
Jefferson,  Greene  County,  Iowa. 
Minneota,  Lyon  County,  Minnesota. 
West  Allis,  Milwaukee  County,  Wisconsin. 


148 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 


Abandoned  Namu. 

New  Providence See 

New  Boston " 

Northwood    ' ' 

New  Castle  " 

Noyesville    " 

Neshonac   " 

New  Town " 

Norwood    " 

Ogle    " 

Ogden    " 

Otter  Creek  '  < 

Otjen    " 

Onion  Grove    " 

Orange  City   " 

Oplington << 

O'Brien    «< 

O  'Donnel    '  < 

Orf  ord <  < 

Oak  Creek " 

Oak  Bidge  < « 

Okawa    <  < 

Point  Boss " 

Podunk <  < 

Princeton  ' « 

Plank  Eoad <  < 

Port  Clinton  " 

Penrose " 

Preston " 

Pocahontas    " 

Port  Gilbert " 

Prospect  Park " 

Prairieville  " 

Perkins  << 

Pine  Bluff " 

Pine  Grove  Siding " 

Pine  Grove " 

Pleasant  Grove " 

Quorn    " 

Quigley  " 

Ramessa " 

Eock  Creek " 

Rochdale    " 

Bock  Springs " 

Redwood    " 

Rutlandville   " 

Richmond  " 

Ridgeville   " 

Ross " 

Russell    " 


Cubkent  Name. 
Lawn  Hill,  Hardin  County,  Iowa. 
Lewiston,  Winona  County,  Minnesota. 
Northwood,  Worth  County,  Iowa. 
Webster   City,  Hamilton   County,  Iowa. 
Oak  Park,  Cook  County,  Illinois. 
West  Salem,  La  Crosse  County,  Wisconsin. 
Carlton,  DeKalb  County,  Illinois. 
Norwood  Park,  Cook  County,  Illinois. 
Ashton,   Lee  County,  Illinois. 
Clinton  Junction,  Rock  County,  Wisconsin. 
Chelsea,  Tama  County,  Iowa. 
Carrollville,  Milwaukee  County,  Wisconsin. 
Clarence,  Cedar  County,  Iowa. 
Alton,  Sioux  County,  Iowa. 
Eleanor,  Butler  County,  Iowa. 
Goose  Lake,  Clinton  County,  Iowa. 
Stafford,  Holt  County,  Nebraska. 
Montour,  Tama  County,  Iowa. 
South  Milwaukee,  Milwaukee  County,  Wisconsin. 
Oak  Park,  Cook  County,  Illinois. 
Seaforth,   Redwood   County,  Minnesota. 
Nekoosa,  Wood  County,  Wisconsin. 
Montfort,  Grant  County,  Wisconsin. 
Albia,  Monroe  County,  Iowa. 
Jefferson   Park,    Cook    County.   Illinois. 
Highland  Park,  Lake  County,  Illinois. 
Gushing,  Woodbury  County,  Iowa. 
Lake  Preston,  Kingsbury  County,  South  Dakota. 
Rolfe,  Pocahontas  County,  Iowa. 
Racine  Junction,  Eacine  County,  Wisconsin. 
Glen  Ellyn,  DuPage  County,  Illinois. 
Waukesha,  Waukesha  County,  Wisconsin. 
Winde,  Delta  County,  Michigan. 
Klevenville,  Dane  County,  Wisconsin. 
Whitelaw,  Manitowoc  County,  Wisconsin. 
Whitelaw,  Manitowoc  County,  Wisconsin. 
Marengo,  McHenry  County,  Illinois. 
Kingsley,  Plymouth  County,  Iowa. 
Petersville,  Clinton  County,  Iowa. 
Malone,  Clinton  County,  Iowa. 
Beemer,  Cumings  County,  Nebraska. 
Botna,  Shelby  County,  Iowa. 
Ablemans,  Sauk  County,  Wisconsin. 
Burchard,  Lyong  County,  Minnesota. 
Gilberts,  Kane  County,  Illinois. 
Columbia,  Brown  County,  Minnesota. 
Evanston,  Cook  County,  Illinois. 
Newald,  Forest  County,  Wisconsin. 
Capa,  Stanley  County,  South  Dakota. 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 


149 


Abandoned  Name. 

Rockland    See 

Rockport   " 

Rex  " 

Eock    '« 

Rocky  Point " 

Roseneath    " 

St.  John's " 

Sana  " 

Springfield   " 

South  Elgin " 

Skull  Creek " 

St.  Mark " 

Shelburn " 

Salisbury's  Mills " 

Stanley  " 

Spring  Bluff " 

Slaunsville  " 

Speir   " 

Sand   Mound " 

Seneca  Falls " 

Southport  " 

State  Line " 

Story " 

St.  John's " 

Smith's  Mine " 

Shiboleth " 

Sand  Point " 

Stackville    " 

South  Nora " 

Springfield  " 

Sugar   River " 

Saylorville  " 

Saratoga " 

Seminole  " 

Turtle  Creek " 

Tama  City " 

Timothy   ' ' 

Tenhassen    " 

Three    Rivers " 

Terry " 

Teyranena    " 

Taylorsport    " 

Taylor " 

Thatcher " 


Curkknt  Name. 
Lake  Bluff,  Lake  County,  Illinois. 
Janesville,  Hock  County,  Wisconsin. 
St.  Lawrence,  Hand  County,  South  Dakota. 
Lucan,  Redwood  Count}',  Minnesota. 
St.  Peter,  Nicollet  County,  Minnesota. 
Edison  Park,  Cook  County,  Illinois. 
Missouri  Valley,  Harrison  Countjr,  Iowa. 
Esmond,  Kingsbury  County,  South  Dakota. 
Maquoketa,  Jackson  County,  Iowa. 
Clintonville,  Kane  County,  Illinois. 
Bruno,  Butler  County,  Nebraska. 
Ashland,  Ashland  County,  Wisconsin. 
Burchard,  Lyon  County,  Minnesota. 
Barton,  Washington  County,  Wisconsin. 
Burr,  Yellow  Medicine  County,  Minnesota. 
Winthrop  Harbor,  Lake  County,  Illinois. 
Lake  Mills,  Winnebago  County,  Iowa. 
Eagle  Lake,  Blue  Earth  County,  Minnesota. 
Grand  Mound,  Clinton  County,  Iowa. 
Senaca,  Faulk  County,  South  Dakota. 
Kenosha,  Kenosha  County,  Wisconsin. 
Winthrop  Harbor,  Lake  County,  Illinois. 
Story  City,  Story  County,  Iowa. 
Malone,  Fond  du  Lac  County,  Wisconsin. 
Republic,  Marquette  County,  Michigan. 
Mason  City,  Cerro  Gordo  County,  Iowa. 
Escanaba,  Delta  County,  Michigan. 
Atkinson,  Iron  County,  Michigan. 
Nora,  Nuckolls  County,  Nebraska. 
Plymouth,  Sheboygan  County,  Wisconsin. 
Rileys,  Dane  County,  Wisconsin. 
Saylor,  Polk  County,  Iowa. 
Amiret,  Lyon  County,  Minnesota. 
Bucknum,  Natrona  County,  Wyoming. 
Beloit,  Rock  County,  Wisconsin. 
Tama,  Tama  County,  Iowa. 
Newton,  Manitowoc  County.  Wisconsin. 
Ceylon,  Martin  County,  Minnesota. 
Suring,  Oconto  County,  Wisconsin. 
Garvin,  Lyon  County  Minnesota. 
Lake  Mills,  Jefferson  County,  Wisconsin. 
Hubbard  Woods,  Lake  County,  Illinois. 
Nachusa,  Lee  County,  Illinois. 
River  Forest,  Cook  County,  Illinois. 


150 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 


Abandoned  Name.  Current  Namb. 

Traders'   Point See  Council  Bluffs,  Pottawattamie  County,  Iowa. 

The    Junction "  West  Chicago,  DuPage  County,  Illinois. 

Turner  Junction "  West  Chicago,  DuPage  County,  Illinois. 

Turner    "  West  Chicago,  DuPage  County,  Illinois. 

Washington  City "  Port   Washington,    Ozaukee   County,    Wisconsin. 

Walden  "  Wald,  Cedar  County,  Iowa. 

Wisconsin  City "  Port   Washington,   Ozaukee   County,    Wisconsin. 

Wilno    "  Ivanhoe,  Lincoln  County,  Minnesota. 

Willow  Glen "  Bradgate,  Humboldt  County,  Iowa. 

Wadiloupe    "  Beaman,  Grundy  County,  Iowa. 

Walters    "  Carlisle,  Fillmore  County,  Nebraska. 

Welcome "  Bear  Creek,  Outagamie  County,  Wisconsin 

West  Dayton "  Dayton,  Webster  County,  Iowa. 

Whittlesey "  Ashland,  Ashland  County,  Wisconsin. 

Wadsworth     "  Riverton,  Fremont  County,  Wyoming. 

Weed  "  Bering,  Sac  County,  Iowa. 

Wall  Lake  Junction....   "  Carnavon,  Sac  County,  Iowa. 

Webb    "  Lebanon,  Potter  County,  South  Dakota. 

Whitman    "  Luverne,  Kossuth  County,  Iowa. 

West  Depere *'  DePere,  Brown  County,  Wisconsin. 

Winona  Junction •'  Medway,  La  Crosse  County,  Wisconsin. 

Westport    "  Mendota,  Dane  County,  Wisconsin. 

Walworth   "  Sharon,   Walworth  County,  Wisconsin. 

Wooltown "  Wolton,  Natrona  County,  Wyoming. 

Warrington    ; '  Monroe,  Turner  County,  South  Dakota. 

West  Allis • '  North    Greenfield,   Milwaukee    County,    Wisconsin 

Waterloo    ' '  Shopiere,  Rock  County,  Wisconsin. 

Whitney's  Rapids. "  Nekoosa,  Wood  County,  Wisconsin. 

Wilson    •'  Ivanhoe,  Lincoln  County,  Minnesota. 

Winneshiek    "  Freeport,  Stephenson  County,  Illinois: 

Warren   "  Winfield,  DuPage  County,  Illinois. 

Wisconsin  City "  Janesville,  Rock  County,  Wisconsin. 

Wicota    "  Owanka,  Pennington  County,  South  Dakota. 

West  Bristol "  Woodworth,  Kenosha   County,  Wisconsin. 

Wingville   "  Montfort,  Grant  County,  Wisconsin. 

Wyeville     "  Necedah  Junction,  Monroe  County,  Wisconsin. 

Vandenburg "  DeWitt,  Clinton  County,  Iowa. 

Vernon     ' '  Luverne,  Kossuth  County,  Iowa. 

Vanderbilt "  Fairfax,  Linn  County,  Iowa. 

Viola  Center "  Viola,  Olmsted  County,  Minnesota. 

Vera    "  Kampeska,  Codington  County,  South  Dakota. 

Yazoo    "  California  Junction,  Harrison  County,  Iowa. 

Yuba   "  Cuba  City,  Grant  County,  Wisconsin. 

Zalesburg   "  Branch,  Manitowoc  County,  Wisconsin. 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Link  151 

SAFETY  IN  RAILWAY  TRAVEL. 

The  expeditious  movement  of  trains  and  the  maximum  of  comfort  for  patrons 
who  travel  via  the  Chicago  and  North  Western  Railway,  is  accompanied  by 
elaborate  precautions  for  their  safety.  Hundreds  of  passenger  trains  furnish 
daily  service  via  this  line  between  various  towns  and  cities  in  nine  western 
states,  with  that  minimum  of  delay  and  danger,  and  that  maximum  of  comfort 
that  have  made  the  road  famous. 

Skill,  forethought  and  liberal  expenditure  have  provided  carefully-guarded 
grade  crossings,  elevated  tracks  and  commodious  terminals,  automatic  block 
signals,  heavy  steel  rails,  powerful  locomotives,  modern,  well-built  equipment, 
and  high-grade  discipline  among  employes,  whose  duty  it  is  to  safeguard  its 
patrons. 

THE   BEST   OF  EVERYTHING. 

The  main  artery  of  travel  between  Chicago  and  Omaha — "The  Only  Double 
Track  Railway  between  Chicago  and  the  Missouri  River,"  the  double  track 
North  Shore  route  between  Chicago  and  Milwaukee,  the  double-track  block 
signal  line  between  Chicago,  St.  Paul,  Minneapolis  and  Duluth,  and  thousauds 
of  miles  of  high-class  railway  that  reach  other  important  points  in  the  north- 
west, stand  to  travelers  via  the  Chicago  &  North-Western  Railway  as  a  guar- 
antee of  the  best  of  everything  in  travel. 

The  growth  of  the  Chicago  &  North-Western  Railway  and  of  the  western 
and  northwestern  states  through  which  it  passes,  have  kept  close  pace  from 
the  earliest  history  of  the  two.  Much  of  the  commercial  vitality  and  rapid 
development  for  which  the  Upper  Mississippi  Valley  is  noted,  is  due  to  the 
fact  that  railway  coommunication  between  this  great  area  and  the  markets 
upon  which  it  depends,  has  always  been  of  a  character  to  develop  the  greatest 
amount  of  interchange  and  increase  the  growth  of  the  west  to  the  largest 
possible  extent. 

TO   THE  PACIFIC  COAST. 

The  comfort  of  the  trans-continental  journey  is  greatly  added  to  by  having 
access  to  properly  prepared  booklets  and  maps  beforehand.  The  Chicago  & 
North-Western  Railway  issue  some  of  the  most  handsome  booklets  on  the 
subject  of  California,  Oregon  and  Washington;  illustrations  illumine  the  text; 
the  facts  set  forth  are  reliable  and  enlightening.  Various  booklets  on  this 
and  other  travel  subjects  may  be  secured  on  application. 

THREE  FAST  TRAINS. 

to  the  Pacific  Coast  every  day.  Every  luxury  and  convenience  the  traveler 
could  wish  is  embodied  on  these  great  trans-continental  trains  via  the  Chicago, 
Union  Pacific  &  North-Western  Line. 

The  Overland  Limited  to  San  Francisco  and  the  Los  Angeles  Limited  to  Los 
Angeles  are  electric  lighted  throughout  leaving  Chicago  daily,  only  three  days 
to  the  Coast,  with  splendid  equipment,  modern  and  luxuriously  complete  in 
every  detail. 

The  China  &  Japan  Fast  Mail,  another  daily  trans-continental  train,  has 
standard  Pullman  sleepers,  Chicago  to  San  Francisco,  Pullman  Tourist  sleep- 
ers to  San  Francisco,  Portland  and  Los  Angeles,  free  reclining  chair  cars  and 
dining  cars. 

The  best  of  everything  is  assured  if  you  travel  via  this  route. 

FREIGHT    TRAFFIC. 

The  Chicago  &  North-Western  system,  comprising  9,329  miles  of  railway, 
reaching  the  following  North-Western  States;  i.  e.,  Illinois,  Wisconsin,  Iowa, 
Michigan,  Minnesota,  Nebraska,  Wyoming  and  the  Dakotas,  with  its  termi- 
nal tracks  in  every  principal  city  and  with  over  200  miles  of  sidetrack  in  the  city 
of  Chicago  and  its  double  track  main  lines  between  Chicago  and  Omaha  and 
Chicago  and  St.  Paul  is  equipped  to  furnish  unexecelled  Freight  Transportation 
between  all  important  points  in  the  territory  it  reaches. 


152  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 

STILL  THE  PIONEER  LINE. 

The  "North-Western"  is  still  the  Pioneer  Line  in  the  transportation  of 
Trans-continental  Freight,  being  the  original  "California  Fast  Freight"  Line. 

IMPORTANT  TO  MANUFACTURERS. 

To  manufacturers  this  Company  offers  exceptional  facilities,  reaching  as  it 
does  thriving  cities  in  the  Fox  River  District  of  Wisconsin,  the  Hard  and  Soft 
Wood  Lumber  Districts  of  Wisconsin,  Michigan  and  Minnesota.  It  reaches  the 
rich  Iron  Ore  ranges  located  also  in  these  same  states,  and  the  productive  coal 
fields  of  Northern  Illinois. 

THE  DAIRY  LINE. 

The  North-Western  is  also  distinctively  a  Dairy  Line  and  gives  especial 
attention  to  this  great  important  industry. 

THROUGH   THE  CORN  BELT. 

It  runs  through  the  great  Corn  Belt  of  Iowa  and  Nebraska  and  the  famous 
wheat  producing  states  of  Minnesota  and  the  Dakotas,  and  is  the  original 
Black  Hills  Line. 

THE  LIVE  STOCK  LINE. 

No  railway  in  the  great  North-West  transports  annually  a  greater  number 
of  cars  of  Live  Stock  and  with  better  despatch. 

ITS  AGENCIES. 

This  Company  is  represented  by  its  General  Agencies  in  all  the  principal 
cities  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific,  who  may  be  consulted  with  reference 
to  Freight  Traffic. 

ITS  BOOK  OF  RATES. 

It  also  publishes  monthly  a  "Book  of  Freight  Kates,"  the  purpose  being 
to  show  rates  to  points  reached  by  it  and  connections,  as  per  the  lawful  pub- 
lished tariffs,  which  include  rates  not  only  to  points  reached  by  its  own  rails, 
but  to  8,350  points  located  on  51,000  miles  of  connecting  lines.  The  shipping 
public  is  requested  to  apply  for  desired  information  to  any  of  its  Freight 
Officials,  Local  Agents,  or  General  Agents. 

ITS  HEADQUARTERS. 

Its  general  offices  are  at  215  Jackson  Boulevard,  Chicago,  111.,  where  its 
patrons  are  always  welcome. 


AS  TO  THE 

Chicago,  St.  Paul,  Minneapolis  &  Omaha 

Railway. 


CHICAGO,  ST.  PAUL,  MINNEAPOLIS  &  OMAHA 

RAILWAY  COMPANY 


DIRECTORS 


WILLIAM  K.  VANDERBILT    -  New  York 

HAMILTON  McK.  TWOMBLY  New  York 
FREDERICK.  W.  VANDERBILT  New  York 

W.  A.  GARDNER       -  Chicago 

MARVIN  HUGHITT  -  Chicago 

BYRON  L.SMITH      -  Chicago 

CHAUNCEY  M.  DEPEW  New  York 


DAVID  P.  KIMBALL 
ZENAS  CRANE  -      - 
EUGENE  E.  OSBORN 
THOMAS  WILSON    - 
JOHN  M.WHITMAN 
JOHN  A.  HUMBIRD 


Boston 

Dalton,  Mass. 

New  York 

St.  Paul 

Chicago 

-   St.  Paul 


EXECUTIVE  COMMITTEE 

MARVIN  HUGHITT  WILLIAM  K.  VANDERBILT 

H.  McK.  TWOMBLY  EUGENE  E.  OSBORN 

CHAUNCEY  M.  DEPEW  DAVID  P.  KIMBALL 

FREDERICK  W.  VANDERBILT 


GENERAL  OFFICERS 


W.  A.  GARDNER    -  -      President     -      -      - 

EUGENE  E.  OSBORN       -  -      -  Vice-President  and  Assistant  Secretary 

JAMES  T.CLARK-      -      -  -      Second  Vice-President 

RICHARD  H.  WILLIAMS  -  Treasurer  and  Second  Assistant  Secretary    - 

MILTON  B.  VAN  ZANDT  -  Assistant  Treasurer  and  Third  Ass't  Secretary 

T.  A.  POLLEYS       -      -      -  -      Secretary     - 

THOMAS  WILSON       -      -  -  -      General  Counsel     -      -  - 

WILLIAM  H.STENNETT  -  -      Auditor  of  Expenditures    - 

ARTHUR  W.  TRENHOLM  -  General  Manager    -      -      - 

SAMUEL  G.  STRICKLAND  -      -      -      General  Superintendent     - 

LEWIS  A.  ROBINSON       -  Comptroller       -      -      -      - 

CHARLES  P.  NASH     -  Local  Treasurer      - 

HIRAM  M.  PEARCE   -      -  -  -      Freight  Traffic  Manager     - 

EDGAR  B.  OBER  -      -  General  Freight  Agent 

THOMAS  W.  TEASDALE  -      General  Passenger  Agent 

CHARLES  W.  JOHNSON  -  Chief  Engineer        -      - 

ISAAC  SEDDON     -      -  -      Purchasing  Agent 

GEORGE  W.  BELL     -      -  -      Land  Commissioner     - 


Chicago 

New  York 

St.  Paul 

New  York 

New  York 

Hudson,  Wis. 

St.  Paul 

-  Chicago 

St.  Paul 

St.  Paul 

St.  Paul 

St.  Paul 

St.  Paul 

St.  Paul 

St.  Paul 

St.  Paul 

St.  Paul 

Hudson,  Wis 


ST.  PAUL  OFFICE— CORNER  FOURTH  AND  ROSABEL  STREETS. 

CHICAGO  OFFICE— 215  JACKSON  BOULEVARD. 

NEW  YORK  OFFICE— in  BROADWAY. 


December  31,  1907 


156  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 


MILES  OF  RAILROAD  JUNE  30,  1907. 

WISCONSIN    DIVISION 

Elroy   to   Westminster   Street 192.82 

Westminster  Street  to  St.  Paul  (leased) 1.30 

Westminster   Street  to   Minneapolis    (leased) 10.10 

Hudson  to  Ellsworth 24.82 

Stillwater  Junction  to  Stillwater 3.30 

St.  Croix  Drawbridge  to  Stillwater  Switch 4.55 

Merrillan    to    Marshfield 38.67 

West  Eau  Claire  to  Shaw 's  Mill 2.74 

Menomonie  Junction   to   Menomonie 3.01 

Fairchild  to   Mondo vi 36.75 

Emerald    to    Weston 36.37 

Northline  to  Bayfield 177.57 

Ashland  Junction  to  Ashland 4.38 

Ashland   Shore    Line 1.31 

Eau  Claire  to  Spooner 81.51 

Trego  to  Duluth  (including  Nor.  Pac.  Ky.  bridge,  1.59  miles.  .  73.29 

Tuscobia  to  Draper 56.00 

Chippewa  Falls  to  Yellow  River 49.28 

797.77 

MINNESOTA    AND    IOWA    DIVISION. 

St.   Paul   to   LeMars 241.49 

Cliff  to  St.  Paul  Junction 1.02 

LeMars  to  Sioux  City    (leased) 25.20 

Minneapolis  to   Merriam    (leased) 27.00 

Lake  Crystal  to  Elmore 43.69 

Madelia   to    Fairmont 29.38 

Bingham  Lake  to  Currie 38.63 

Heron  Lake  to  Pipestone 55.10 

Trent    to    Mitchell 130.73 

Luverne  to  Doon   28.00 

620.24 

NEBRASKA    DIVISION. 

Missouri  river  to  Omaha 123.06 

Sioux  City  union  depot  to  bridge  track   (leased) .50 

Sioux  City  Bridge  Company 's  track 3.90 

Coburn    to    Newcastle 26.95 

Emerson   to    Norfolk 46.50 

Wakefield   to    Crof ton 49.14 

Wayne    to    Bloomfield 43.14 

293.19 

Total 1,711.20 

The  mileage  operated,  by  States,  was  as  follows: 

Owned.  Leased.  Total. 

Wisconsin      756.69         1.28  757.97 

Minnesota     434.33  38.71  473.04 

Iowa     74.54  27.50  102.04 

South    Dakota    88.20  88.20 

Nebraska    287.85         2.10  289.95 

Total 1,641.61       69.59     1,711.20 

In  addition  to  the  above,  the  company  owned  and  operated  66.03  miles  of  second 
track  located  as  follows: 

Wisconsin      40.09 

Minnesota     24.23 

Nebraska     1.71 

Total 66.03 


AS  TO  THE 

CHICAGO,  ST.  PAUL,  MINNEAPOLIS  & 
OMAHA  RAILWAY. 

THE  STATES. 
THEIR  NAMES  AND  THE  ORIGIN  THEREOF. 

Iowa.  The  name  comes  from  the  name  of  a  tribe  of  Indians  who  inhabitated 
this  region  when  it  was  first  visited  by  the  "whites."  The  word  means 
"sleepy  ones"  or  drowsy  ones."  For  a  more  full  report  on  this  word 
6ee  "Iowa"  in  the  Chicago  and  North  Western  part  of  this  book. 
State  Capital,  Des  Moines.  It  is  on  the  Des  Moines  Eiver  and  was  named 
from  the  river.  The  river  name  comes  from  the  Indian  word  "  miiconang," 
meaning  "road."  The  French  spoke  the  word  as  if  it  were  spelled 
"Moingona, "  and  then  shortens  it  to  Moin,  and  called  the  river  "La  riviere 
des  moines." 

Minnesota.  A  Sioux  Indian  word  meaning  "muddy  water,"  "cloudy  water" 
or  "sky-tinted  water."  Hennipin  and  LaSalle  saw  the  Minnesota  Eiver 
in  1680  and  LaHonton,  LeSueur  and  Carver  later.  In  1812  the  United 
States  first  exercised  authority  in  the  territory.  Fort  Snelling  was  built 
in  1819  and  named  by  the  United  States  authorities  for  Colonel  Josiah 
Snelling  who  built  the  fort.  It  was  a  protection  for  the  early  settlers, 
traders,  etc.  on  the  upper  waters  of  the  Mississippi  and  Minnesota  (St. 
Peter)  Eivera. 

State  Capital,  St.  Paul.  The  city  was  named  in  1841  from  the  church  of 
"St.  Paul"  a  log  church  which  was  built  here  for  Father  M.  Galtier,  a 
Jesuit  missionary. 

Nebraska.  An  Indian  word  meaning  "shallow  water,"  "broad  water." 
It  is  supposed  the  word  was  by  the  Indians,  applied  to  the  Platte  Eiver. 
State  Capital,  Lincoln.     This  was  named  for  Abraham  Lincoln. 

South  Dakota.  Dakota  was  the  common  name  for  the  confederated  Sioux 
tribes.  The  name  they  used  varied,  as  sometimes  they  called  themselves 
Lakota  or  Nakota  and  again  Dakota.  The  "South"  was  added  when 
the  territory  was  divided.  The  Dakotas  were  cut  off  from  Minnesota  in 
1858  and  from  that  time  to  March  2,  1861  was  practically  without  any 
government.  In  March  1861  the  Territory  was  organized  by  act  of 
Congress. 

State  Capital,  Pierre.  This  was  named  from  Fort  Pierre,  which  was  on  the 
opposite  bank  of  the  Missouri  Eiver  and  was  named  in  June  1832  for 
Pierre  Choteau,  Jr.,  of  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  who  visited  the  trading  post 
at  that  time.  The  "Fort"  belonged  to  the  American  Fur  Coompany. 
For  a  brief  history  of  this  Fort,  see  "Fort  Pierre"  in  this  work."  For 
a  mention  of  the  Confederated  Sioux  tribes,  who  gave  their  name  to  this 
state  see  South  Dakota  in  the  Chicago  and  North  Western  part  of  this 
work. 


158  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 

Wisconsin.     A  Sauk  Indian  word  having  reference  to  holes  in  the  banks  of  a 
stream  in  which  birds  nest. 

Elijah  M.  Haines  in  his  "North  American  Indian,"  says  of  the  word 
"Wisconsin  in  substance:  "The  name  was  first  given  to  the  stream  or 
river.  The  word  was  given  by  Marquette  as  Mesh-bousing  and  Mish- 
lcou-sing.  The  letter  '  m '  afterwards  changed  to  '  w '  and  the  letter 
'u'  changed  to  *n'  making  it  wish-kin-sing.  The  word  given  by 
Marquette  is  supposed  to  mean  'strong  current,'  a  feature  that  es- 
pecially marks  this  stream  in  high  water."  The  name  of  the  stream 
was  ultimately  given  to  the  territory  and  later  to  the  State.  The  spell- 
ing of  the  word  as  Ouiconsin,  was  merely  a  refining  of  a  misunderstood 
French  euphonism,  and  has  no  basis  in  correct  (French)  orthography. 
See  Chicago  and  North  Western  part  of  this  book  for  further  remarks  on 
the  name  of  this  state. 

State  Capital,  Madison.  Named  for  James  Madison,  President  of  the 
United  States. 


AS  TO  THE 

CHICAGO,  ST.  PAUL,  MINNEAPOLIS  & 
OMAHA  RAILWAY. 

THE  COUNTIES. 

THEIR  NAMES  AND  ORIGIN. 

Ashland  County,  State  of  Wisconsin.     Named   from   the   home  of  Henry  Clay 
in  Kentucky. 

County  seat,  Ashland.  Named  from  the  county.  (Sec  Ashland  in  alpha- 
betical list  of  places  in  this  book.) 

Barron  County,  State  of   Wisconsin.     Named  for  Judge   Henry  D.  Barron   of 
St.  Croix  Falls,  Wis. 

County  seat,  Barron.  Named  for  Judge  Henry  D.  Barron  of  St.  Croix 
Falls,  Wis.     He  was  a  judge  in  the  8th,  Judicial  Circuit. 

Bayfield    County,    State    of    Wisconsin.      Named    for    H.    D.    Bayfield    of    the 
United  States  Navy,  who  surveyed  the  Great  Lakes. 

County  seat,  Washburn.  Named  for  Cadwallader  C.  Washburn,  former 
Governor  of  Wisconsin. 

Blue  Earth  County,  State  of  Minnesota.     Named  for  tho  bluish  earth,  caused 
by  the  presence  of  copper  in  the  soil  of  the  county. 

County  seat,  Mankato.  Named  from  an  Indian  word  meaning  "blue" 
or  perhaps  ' '  green   soil. ' ' 

Buffalo    County,    State    of    Wisconsin.      Named    from    the    presence   of   buffalo 
(Bos  Americana)  here  in  the  early  day. 
County  seat,  Alma.     Named  from  the  battlefield  in  the  Crimea. 

Burt    County,   State    of    Nebraska.      Was    named    for    Francis    Burt   who    was 
Governor  of  the  Territory  in   1854. 

County  seat,  Tekamah;  was  owned,  platted  and  named  by  Col.  B.  R. 
Folsom  of  Attica,  New  York,  who  settled  here  and  laid  out  the  town 
in  1854.  The  words  is  Omaha  Indian  and  means  "big  Cottonwood." 
Before  Colonel  Folsom  came  to  this  place,  the  Omaha  Indians  had  been  in 
the  habit  of  camping  here,  so  much  so,  that  by  many  early  traders  it  was 
called  the  headquarters  of  that  tribe. 

Cedar  County,  State  of  Nebraska.     Named    in    reference   to   the   presence   of 
Cedar   (Thuja)   trees  in  the  vicinity. 

County  seat,  Hartington,  was  named  by  and  for  Lord  Hartington  of 
England,  who  had  purchased  and  still  owns  a  large  tract  of  farm  land 
that  now  surrounds  the  village. 

Chippewa  County,  State  of  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  an  Indian  tribe.     The 
proper  and  Indian  form  is  Ojibway.     The  word  means  "puckered  up"  or  "to 
roast  till  puckered  up." 
Count}'  seat,  Chippewa  Falls.     Named  from  the  county. 


160  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 

Clark   County,    State    of    Wisconsin,    was    named   for    A.    W.    Clark,    an    early 

settler. 

County  seat,  Neillsville,  -was  named  for  a  family  of  early  settlers. 
Cottonwood  County,  State  of  Minnesota.     Translation  of  the  Sioux  word  for 

a  species   of   Poplar,   or   Cottonwood    (Populus   tremuloides)    tree,    abundant 

in  the  county. 

County  seat,  Windom;  was  named  for  United  States  Senator  and  Secretary 

of  the  U.  S.  Treasury,  Windom    of  Minnesota. 
Cuming  County,  State  of  Nebraska.    Named  for  T.  B.  Cuming,  governor  of  the 

territory  in  1854-55. 

County  seat,  West  Point;   named,  because  when  located,  it  was  the  moit 

westerly  point  that  was  settled  in  the  Elkhorn  valley. 
Dakota  County,  State  of  Nebraska,  was  named  for  the  Indian  tribe. 

County  seat,   Dakota   City.    This  place  was   established   in   1855  and   wat 

named   by   Mrs.   J.   D.    M.    Crockwell,   for    the   Indian    tribe.    The    Indian 

(Sioux)    form    of    the    word   is    Lakota,    Nakota    or    Dakota,    according    to 

the    dialect,   and    signifies   "allies,"   which    is   the    common    Indian   name 

for  the  confederated  Sioux  tribes. 
Dakota   County,    State   of   Minnesota,   was    named   for    the  Indian    tribe.    The 

Indian  form   is  Lakota,  Nakota  or  Dakota,  according  to   the  dialect,  signi- 
fying "allies,"  the  common  name  of  the  confederated  Sioux  tribes. 

County  seat,  Hastings;  was  named  for  Henry  Hastings  Sibley,  one  of  the 

early  proprietors. 
Davison  County,  State  of  South  Dakota.     Was  named  for  Henry  C.  Davison, 

the  first  settler  in  he  county. 

County  seat,  Mitchell;  was  named  for  Alexander  Mitchell,  of  Milwaukee, 

Wisconsin. 
Dixon  County,  State  of  Nebraska.     Was  by  the  legislature  of  the  state,  named 

for  a  pioneer  settler. 

County  seat,  Ponca;  was  named  for  the  Ponca  tribe  of  Indians.     The  word 

means  "medicine." 
Douglas  County,  State  of  Nebraska.     Named  for  Senator  Stephen  A  Douglas, 

of  Illinois. 

County  seat,  Omaha;  this  is  an  Indian  word  for  an  Indian  tribe  and  means 

"up  stream,"  as  "up  stream  people."  (See  Omaha  in  the  alphabetical  list 

herein). 
Douglas  County,  State  of  Wisconsin.     Named  for  Stephen  A.  Douglas,  United 

States  Senator  from  Ilinois. 

County  seat,  Superior;  was  named  from  its  location  on  the  border  of  and  at 

the  head  of  Lake  Superior. 
Dunn  County,  State  of  Wisconsin.     Named  for  Charles  Dunn,  the  first  Chief 

Justice  of  the  Territory  of  Wisconsin. 

County  seat,  Menomonie;  was  named  for  the  Indian  tribe.     The  word  has 

reference  to  the  wild  rice  which  grew  abundantly  in  this  region. 
Eau  Claire  County,  State  of  Wisconsin.     Was  named  from  the  river;  the  word 

is  French   and   signifies   "clear  water."     In    1767   the    Eau   Claire   Kiver 

was  discovered   by  Jonathan   Carver   and   his   followers.     Carver's  voyag- 

eura  came  up  the  Chippewa  River  from  the  Mississippi  in  batteaux.     The 

Mississippi  and  Chippewa  Rivers  were  swollen  by  recent  rains  and  were 

exceedingly  muddy.     Arriving  at  the  mouth  of  the  Eau  Claire  River  they 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line  161 

were  surprised  to  find  clear  water.  "  L'eau  daire, "  they  cried  on  discov- 
ering the  clear  water.  The  Eau  Claire  River  takes  its  name  from  that 
occurrence.  Carver's  voyageurs  had  been  unable  to  obtain  drinking  water 
from  the  time  they  left  the  Mississippi,  until  they  reached  the  Eau  Claire 
River.  So  far  as  known,  they  were  the  first  white  men  to  set  foot  on  this 
section  of  Wisconsin.  The  Eau  Claire  and  Chippewa  Rivers  have  their 
confluences  in  the  heart  of  Eau  Claire.  In  1854  occurred  the  last  battle 
between  the  hostile  Sioux  and  the  Chippewas,  taking  place  within  a 
few  miles  of  what  was  to  become  the  town  site  of  Eau  Claire.  By  act  of 
legislature  in  October  1856,  the  county  was  organized  with  Eau  Claire  as 
the  county  seat.  The  railroad  reached  this  place  on  August  10,  1870. 
County  seat,  Eau  Claire;  named  from  the  county. 

Faribault  County,  State  of  Minnesota.     Named  for  Jean  Baptiste  Faribault, 
a  settler  and  French  fur  trader  amongst  the  Sioux  Indians. 
County  seat,  Blue  Earth     City;  was  named  for  the  township,  and  that  was 
named   because   of   the  bluish   hue   of   the   earth,   due   to   the   presence    of 
copper. 

Hanson  County,  State  of  South  Dakota.  Named  for  Joseph  R.  Hanson  of  Yank- 
ton, South  Dakota,  clerk  of  the  first  legislature. 

County  seat,  Alexandria;  "was  named  from  Alexandria,  in  Virginia;  that 
was  named  from  a  place  in  Scotland;  that  was  named  from  Alexandria  in 
Egypt,  and  that  was  named  from  Alexander,  the  Great.  A  story  recently 
started  as  to  this  town  is  to  the  effect  that  it  was  named  for  Alexander 
Mitchell  of  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin,  but  the  writer  of  these  lines  was 
assured  by  Mr.  Mitchell  that  the  place  was  not  named  for  him,  and  that  its 
name  came  down  as  stated  above.  There  is  scarcely  any  doubt  as  to  the 
truth  of  the  above.  Had  the  place  been  named  for  Mr.  Mitchell,  he  would 
have  known  it,  as  he  was  the  'final  authority'  in  tbe  naming  of  all  of  the 
new  towns  on  his  railroad." 

Hennepin  County,  State  of  Minnesota.  Named  for  Louis  Hennepin,  a  Fran- 
ciscan missionary,  explorer  and  author. 

County  seat,  Minneapolis;  this  is  a  combination  of  the  Indian  word  Min- 
ni — "water"  and  the  Greek  polis  "city." 

Jackson  County,  State  of  Wisconsin.  Was  named  for  General  Andrew  Jack- 
son. 

County  seat,  Black  River  Falls;  was  named  from  the  falls  of  Black  River, 
near  which  it  is  situated.  The  river  was  named  from  the  dark  color  of  its 
water  which  came  from  the  macerated  bark  of  trees  in  and  along  its  banks. 

Jackson  County,  State  of  Minnesota.  Was  named  for  General  Andrew  Jackson. 
County  seat,  Jackson;  was  named  for  ex-President  General  Andrew  Jack- 
son. 

Juneau  County,  State  of  Wisconsin.  Was  named  for  Solomon  Juneau,  the 
French  founder  of  the  City  of  Milwaukee. 

County  seat,  Mauston;  was  named  for  General  M.  M.  Maughs,  once  pro- 
prietor  of  the   original  village. 

Knox  County,  State  of  Nebraska.  Was  named  for  the  Revolutionary  General 
Knox.  It  was  originally  named  L'Eau  que  court  County,  but  was  changed 
by  the  legislature  at  the  request  of  David  Quimby,  its  legislative  repre- 
sentative. 


162  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 


County  Beat,  Niobrara;  named  from  an  Indian  word  meaning  "running 
water. ' ' 

Le   Sueur  County,   State   of  Minnesota.     Was  named   for  Pierre   Charles  Le 
Sueur,  an  explorer  of  the  upper  Mississippi  in  1683-1722. 
County  seat,  Le  Sueur  Center;  was  named  from  the  county.     (For  data  in 
regard  to  Le  Sueur  see  alphabetical  list). 

Lyon  County,  State  of  Iowa.  Was  named  for  General  Nathaniel  Lyon  of  the 
United  States  Army,  who  achieved  immortality  during  the  War  of  the 
Rebellion.  The  original  name  of  the  county  was  Buncombe,  and  was  given 
it  when  it  was  created  in  1851.  As  this  name  was  given  in  derision,  the 
legislature  in  1862,  changed  the  name  to  its  present  form. 
County  seat,  Rock  Rapids.  This  was  made  the  county  seat  in  1871  and  wai 
named  from  its  location  at  the  Falls  of  Rock  River. 

Madison  County,  State  of  Nebraska.    Named  for  President  James  Madison. 
County  seat,  Madison;  named  from  the  county. 

Martin  County,  State  of  Minnesota.  Named  for  Henry  Martin,  an  early  set- 
tler. 

County  seat  ,  Fairmont.  Was  named  in  1857  by  W.  H.  Budd  and  other  com- 
missioners, who  were  appointed  by  the  government,  to  select  a  site  for  the 
county  seat.  The  location  is  on  elevated  ground  and  along  a  chain  of  lakes. 
The  outlook  was  very  fine,  and  that  induced  these  commissioners  to  call 
the  site  Fairmont.     (Not  Fairmount,  as  it  is  often  incorrectly  written). 

McCook  County,  State  of  South  Dakota.    Named  for  General  Edwin  S.  McCook 
of  Ohio  distinguished  in  the  War  of  the  Rebellion,  and  Secretary  of  the  Ter- 
ritory of  Dakota,  at  the  time  of  his  death. 
County  seat,  Salem;  named  for  the  Jewish  word  that  means  "peace." 

Minnehaha  County,  State  of  South  Dakota.  Was  named  from  the  Minnehaha 
Falls  in  Hennepin  County,  Minnesota.  The  word  is  Sioux  Indian  and 
means  "laughing"  or  "tumbling  water."  This  county  was  constituted  by 
the  legislature  of  Minnesota  in  December,  1857,  while  the  Dakotas  were  still 
attached  to  Minnesota. 

County  seat,  Sioux  Falls.  Was  named  from  its  location  on  the  Falls  of  the 
Big  Sioux  River.  W.  W.  Brookings  was  made  district  attorney  at  the 
county  seat  and  was  active  in  all  early  actions  in  the  county  and  state. 

Monroe  County,  State  of  Wisconsin.  Was  named  for  James  Monroe,  ex-presi- 
dent of  the  United  States. 

County  seat,  Sparta;  was  named  by  Mrs.  M.  Pettit  from  the  ancient  city 
of  Greece. 

Murray  County,  State  of  Minnesota.  Was  named  for  Hon.  W.  P.  Murray,  a 
member  of  the  Territorial  Legislature  and  a  pioneer  of  St.  Paul,  Minne- 
sota. 

County  seat,  Slay  ton,;  was  named  for  J.  B.  Slayton,  the  earliest  settler  in 
the  county. 

Nobles  County,  State  of  Minnesota.  Was  named  for  Colonel  William  H.  Nobles, 
a  member  of  the  Minnesota  Territorial  Legislature. 

County  seat,  Worthington;  was  named  for  the  Worthington  family  of  Ohio, 
who  had  many  representatives  settled  in  this  vicinity. 

O'Brien  County,  State  of  Iowa.  Was  named  for  the  Irish  patriot  of  1848,  Wil- 
liam Smith  O'Brien.  The  county  was  created  in  1851  and  organized  in 
1860. 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line  P>3 

County  seat,  Primghar.  The  site  of  this  town  was  selected  by  the  county  offi- 
cers and  laid  out  in  1872.  Many  names  were  suggested  as  a  name  for  the 
location,  but  as  none  were  acceptable  to  all  interested,  it  was  suggested 
that  the  initials  beginning  the  names  of  the  county  officers  should  be  taken 
and  arranged  into  a  name.  The  following  were  the  names  from  whieh  the 
initials  came: 

Messrs.  Pumphrey,  Roberts,  Inman,  McCormack,  Green  Hays,  Albright, 
and  Renok;  these  initials  made  P.  R.  I.  M.  G.  H.  A.  R.  and  this  made  the 
name  of  the  town  and  the  county  seat 

Osceola  County,  State  of  Iowa.  Was  named  for  the  Seminole  Indian  chief. 
The  name  refers  to  a  medicinal  drink  used  by  the  tribe  in  certain  ceremon- 
ies. The  county  was  created  in  1851,  but  was  not  organized  until  1871. 
County  seat,  Sibley;  was  named  for  General  Henry  H.  Sibley,  (an  early 
pioneer  of  the  state,  while  it  was  yet  a  portion  of  Wisconsin  Territory) 
the  first  governor  of  Minnesota;  a  soldier  of  the  War  of  the  Rebellion,  anil 
also  of  the  Sioux  War  of  1862. 

Pierce   County,    State    of    Wisconsin.      Was    named    for   Franklin   Pierce,   once 
president  of  the  United  States. 
County  seat,  Philips;  was  named  for  Elijah  B.  Phillips,  a  railroad  builder. 

Pipestone  County,  State  of  Minnesota.     Was  named  because  of  its  celebrated 
quarries  of  the  red  pipestone  that  was  highly  prized  and  was  largely  used 
for  pipes  by  the  Sioux  Indians. 
County  seat,  Pipestone;  was  named  from  the  county. 

Plymouth  County,  State  of  Iowa.  Was  named  from  Plymouth,  Massachusetts. 
County  seat,  LeMars.  (For  the  origin  of  this  name,  see  Le  Mars  in  the 
alphabetical  list  in  this  book). 

Polk  County,  State  of  Wisconsin.  Was  named  for  James  K.  Polk,  once  presi- 
dent of  the  United  States. 

County  seat,  Osceola,  and  was  named  for  the  Seminole  Indian  chief.  The 
word  refers  to  a  medicinal  drink  used  by  the  tribe  in  certain  ceremonies. 

Ramsey  County,  State  of  Minnesota.  Was  named  for  the  noted  War  Governor 
of  Minnesota,  Hon.  Alexander  Ramsey.  He  also  was  United  States  Sena- 
tor from  Minnesota. 

County  seat,  St.  Paul.  (For  further  information  about  this  place,  see  St. 
Paul,  in  alphabetical  list  herein). 

Sock  County,  State  of  Minnesota.  Named  on  account  of  the  rocky  character 
of  the  soil  in  some  parts  of  the  county. 

County  seat,  Luverne.  Was  named  for  one  of  the  daughters  of  one  of  the 
proprietors  of  the  town  site. 

Sawyer  County,  State   of  Wisconsin.     Was  named  for  Hon.   Philetus   Sawyer, 
United  States  Senator  from  this  state,  and  one  of  its  most  noted  men. 
County  seat,     Hayward;  was  named  for  and  by  Anthony  J.  Hayward,  its 
founder. 

Scott  County,  State  of  Minnesota.  W7as  named  for  General  Winfield  Scott,  of 
the  United  States  Army. 

County  seat,  Shakopec,  and  was  named  for  a  Sioux  Indian  Chief,  who  for- 
merly lived  here;  the  word  means  "six." 

Sioux  County,  State  of  Iowa.  Named  from  Dakota  or  Sioux  Indians.  The  word 
Sioux  is  an  abbreviation   of   Nadowessiovr.  their   Ojibway  name,   and  means 


164  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 


"little  snakes,  or  enemies."  The  county  was  created  in  1851  and  organ- 
ized in  1860. 

County  seat,  Orange  City;  named  for  William  the  Silent,  Count  of  Nassau 
and  Prince  of  Orange,  in  honor  of  the  large  settlement  of  Hollanders  in  the 
county. 

St.  Croix  County,  State  of  Wisconsin.  Was  named  for  the  river.  The  river  was 
named  for  Monsieur  St.  Croix,  a  Frenchman,  who  was  drowned  at  its  mouth. 
County  seat,  Hudson.  The  first  name  of  this  place  was  Willow  River,  so 
named  from  the  fact  that  it  is  located  at  the  mouth  of  that  stream  where  it 
enters  the  St.  Croix  Eiver.  After  the  close  of  the  Mexican  War,  several 
ex  soldiers  who  had  been  present  at  the  victory  pf  Buena  Vista,  induced  the 
settlers  to  give  the  village  the  name  of  that  battlefield.  For  reasons  not 
now  accessible,  the  citizens  again  changed  the  name,  and  named  it  for 
Hudson,  New  York.  That  was  named  for  Henry  Hudson,  the  navigator, 
who  also  gave  his  name  to  the  river  on  which  the  city  of  Hudson  is  located. 

St.  Louis  County,  State  of  Minnesota.  Was  named  from  the  river.  The  river 
was  named  by  the  French  explorer,  Pierre  la  Verendrye,  in  1740,  in  honor 
of  the  Cross  of  St.  Louis,  conferred  on  him  shortly  before  his  death  by  the 
King  of  France. 

County  seat,  Duluth;  was  named  for  Sieur  Daniel  Graysolon  Duluth,  a 
French  traveler  and  explorer. 

Taylor  County,  State  of  Wisconsin.  Was  named  by  the  legislature  of  Wisconsin, 
for  W.  E.  Taylor,  a  governor  of  the  state. 

County  seat,  Medford;  this  was  named  in  1875  by  Phillips  and  Colby,  th« 
builders  of  the  railroad  that  passes  through  the  village,  from  Medford, 
Massachusetts,  whence  one  of  the  gentlemen  came. 

Thurston  County,  State  of  Nebraska.  Was  named  for  United  States  Senator 
John  M.  Thurston,  of  the  state  of  Nebraska. 

County  seat,  Pender;  was  named  by  W.  E.  Peebles,  for  an  Englishman, 
named  Pender,  who  owned  much  land  in  the  vicinity. 

Trempeleau  County,  State  of  Wisconsin.  Named  from  an  island  in  the  Missis- 
sippi Eiver.  It  is  from  the  French,  La  montagne  que  trempe  a  I'eau,  mean- 
ing "mountain  that  stands  in  the  water." 

County  seat,  Whitehall;  was  named  by  B.  F.  Wing,  the  original  owner  of 
the  town  site,  from  Whitehall,  Illinois,  and  that  was  named  from  White- 
hall, New  York. 

Washburn  County,  State  of  Wisconsin.  Was  named  for  Cadwallader  C.  Wash- 
burn, a  former  governor  of  the  state. 

County  seat,  Shell  Lake.  Was  named  by  the  Shell  Lake  Lumber  Company — 
that  had  mills  here  in  an  early  day — from  the  lake.  The  lake  was  known 
by  its  present  name  as  long  ago  as  1852,  as  it  is  to  be  found  on  a  map  pub- 
lished in  Philadelphia  in  that  year.  The  lake  was  so  named  on  account  of 
the  immense  number  of  shells  of  the  "fresh  water  clams"  (Mya  arenaria) 
that,  when  discovered,  and  now  cover  its  shores  and  its  bottom  for  a  con 
siderable  distance  from  the  shores. 

Washington  County,  State  of  Nebraska.     Named  for  George  Washington. 
County  seat,  Blair;  named  for  John  I.  Blair  of  Blairstown,  New  Jersey. 

Washington  County,  State  of  Minnesota.  Was  named  for  General  George 
Washington. 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line  165 

County  soat,  Stillwater.  This  place  was  so  named  by  John  McKessick, 
because  of  the  stillness  of  the  flow  of  the  river  (St.  Croix)  on  which  it  in 
located. 

Watonwan  County,  State  of  Minnesota.    A  Dakota  (Sioux)  Indian  word,  mean 
ing  "fish  bait,"  or  "where  there  are  plenty  of  fish." 
County  seat,  St.  James;  named  for  the  first  settler,  James  Purington. 

Wayna  County,  State  of  Nebraska.     Was  named  for  General  Anthony  Wayne, 
one  of  the  heroes  of  the  American  Revolution. 
County  seat,  Wayne;  was  named  from  the  county. 

Wood  County,  State  of  Wisconsin.     Named  for  Joseph  Wood,  a  member  of  the 
Wisconsin  legislature. 

County  seat,  Grand  Rapids.  Was  named  from  the  rapids  in  the  Wisconsin 
River. 

Woodbury  County,  State  of  Iowa.    Named  for  Levi  Woodbury,  of  New  Hamp 
shire,  and  a  Judge  of  the  Supreme  Court  of   the  United  States.     It  was 
first  called  wan  lean,  but  in  1851   was  given  its  present  title  by  the  legis- 
lature of  Iowa. 

County  seat,  Sioux  City;  named  for  the  Dakota  or  Sioux  Indians,  the  largest 
tribe  of  Indians  in  the  United  States.  The  word  is  a  abbreviation  of  the 
name  the  Ojibway  (Chippewa)  Indians,  applied  to  the  Sioux  tribe,  and 
signified  "little  snakes,"  i.  e.  "our  enemies."  The  French  in  1875  called 
them  La  Sues,  while  George  Crogan,  the  Indain  interpreter  for  the  United 
States  government  at  this  time,  called  them  La  Suit.  (See  Sioux  City  in 
alphabetical  list). 


AS  TO  THE 

CHICAGO,  ST.  PAUL,  MINNEAPOLIS  & 
OMAHA  RAILWAY. 

THE  TOWNS. 

THEIR  NAMES  AND  THE  ORIGIN  THEREOF. 

Adrian,  Nobles  County,  Minnesota.  This  town  was  started  in  1876  and  was 
named  for  Adrian  C.  Iselin,  of  New  York  City,  who  was  a  large  holder  of 
the  earliest  issued  stock  and  bonds  of  a  railroad  that  passes  through  this 
vicinity. 

Allouez,  Douglas  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  Father  Claude  Jean  Allouez, 
an  early  French  Jesuit  missionary  to  the  Indians.  His  name  is  attached  to 
many  places  and  streams,  lakes,  bays,  and  so  forth,  in  the  northwest, 
where  he  lived  and  worked  for  the  civilization  of  the  Indians.  In  1665 
he  established  a  mission  at  "Chequamegon  of  Lake  Superior,"  now  sup- 
posed to  be  one  of  the  Apostle  Islands,  in  the  mouth  of  Chequamegon 
Bay  at  the  west  end  of  Lake  Superior.  He  labored  with  the  Fox,  Mascou- 
tin,  Miami  and  Illinois  Indians  and  finally  settled  at  Kaskaskia  in  a  mission 
founded  by  Marquette.  He  died  in  1690.  His  part  of  the  "Jesuit  Rela- 
tions" is  among  the  most  valuable  records  of  the  Indians. 

Alton,  Sioux  County,  Iowa.  Was  founded  in  1872.  The  earliest  name  was  East 
Orange.  It  as  well  as  the  present  Orange  City  were  given  their  names 
in  honor  of  William,  the  Silent,  Count  of  Nassau  and  Prince  of  Orange, 
because  many  Hollanders  were  settled  in  the  vicinity.  When  it  was  deter- 
mined by  the  citizens  that  the  name  should  be  changed,  in  a  meeting  held 
for  that  purpose  of  those  present,  one  suggested  Alton,  and  it  was  adopted. 
The  name  was  taken  from  Alton,  Illinois  and  Alton,  New  Hampshire,  and 
both  these  got  their  names  from  Alton,  a  town  in  England. 

Altoona,  Eau  Claire  County,  Wisconsin.  This  village  was  started  in  1881  and 
was  named  from  Altoona,  Pennsylvania,  by  Capt.  T.  P.  Gere,  who,  when 
the  town  was  started  was  superintendent  of  the  railroad  that  passed  through 
it.  The  place  in  Pennsylvania  was  named  because  of  its  high  situation  in 
the  Alleghany  Mountains.  The  name  ia  a  derivative  of  the  Latin  word 
Altus,  meaning  "high." 

Amboy,  Blue  Earth  County,  Minnesota.  The  town  was  started  in  1879  and  its 
po8toffice  was  named  by  some  one  connected  with  the  postoffice  depart- 
ment in  Washington.  As  the  town  sprang  up  around  the  postoffice,  the 
village  so  formed  took  the  name  of  the  postoffice.  The  name  is  an  Indian 
word   and  means  "hollow  inside,"   "like  a  bowl." 

Angus,  Barron  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  United  States  Senataor 
Angus  Cameron,  the  well  known  citizen  of  the  state. 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line  167 

Anson,  Chippewa  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  by  Arthur  Clark,  an  old  settler 
for  Anson  Burlingharn,  a  well  known  statesman  of  Maine.  The  township 
in  which  the  village  is  situated  carries  the  same  name,  and  for  the  same 
reason  as  the  village. 

Arnold,  Chippewa  County,  Wisconsin.  This  town  was  formerly  known  as 
Stillhaven,  but  was  changed  in  1896.  Its  present  name  was  given  it  for 
Arnold  Deuel,  eldest  son  of  H.  H.  Deuel,  postmaster  here  when  the  name 
was  changed. 

Asa  Creek,  Rock  County,  Minnesota.  The  town  was  started  in  1881.  It  was 
named  from  a  nearby  creek  that  was  named  from  the  many  white  ash 
{Fraxinus  Americana)  trees  that  grew  along  its  banks.  The  town  was 
named  by  Orville  Estey,  its  earliest  settler. 

Ashland,  Ashland  County,  Wisconsin,  was  in  1858  named  by  Martin  Beaver,  the 
original  proprietor,  from  Henry  Clay's  home  in  Kentucky.  The  postoffice 
was  originally  called  Whittlesey  for  Asoph  Whittlesey,  its  first  postmaster, 
but  in  I860  it  was  changed  to  conform  to  the  name  of  the  town.  The  town 
was  once  called  St.  Mark,  from  the  Tower  in  Venice,  and  then  Bay  City, 
because  it  was  located  on  a  bay.  The  Indian  name  for  this  locality  waa 
sham-a-wa-milc — ' '  the  long-stretched  beaver. ' ' 

Ashland  Junuction,  Bayfield  County,  Wisconsin.  Was  founded  in  1883  and  waa 
named  by  the  railroad  company  on  account  of  its  nearness  to  and  relation 
to  the  city  of  Ashland. 

Ashton,  Osceola  County,  Iowa.  Was  started  in  1870.  Its  earliest  name  was 
Gillman  for  J.  G.  Gillman  an  early  land  agent  here.  The  name  was  changed 
to  its  present  form  in  1875.  The  present  name  came  from  the  fact  that 
the  white  ash  {Fraxinus  Americana)  trees  were  plentiful  hereabouts  and 
suggested  the  name. 

Augusta,  Eau  Claire  County,  Wisconsin.  Was  named  by  Charles  or  John  Buck- 
man,  who  came  here  in  1856  and  named  it  from  Augusta,  Maine,  whence 
he  had  emigrated.  The  place  in  Maine  was  named  for  Augusta,  of  Saxe- 
Gotha,  the  wife  of  Frederick,  Prince  of  Wales  of  English  history. 

Avoca,  Murray  County,  Minnesota,  was  named  in  1S79  by  Archbishop  John  Ire- 
land who  established  a  colony  nearby.  The  name  is  an  allusion  to  Thomas 
Moore's  poem,  "Sweet  Val^  of  Avoca." 

Baldwin,  St.  Croix  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  by  D.  R.  Bailey  and  Jacob 
Humbird  for  D.  A.  Baldwin,  a  prominent  early  day  officer  of  the  railroad 
that  passes  through  this  place.  Its  earliest  name  was  Clarkesville,  and  was 
named  for  Frank  B.  Clark,  then  of  the  Hudson,  Wisconsin,  Flouring  Mill 
Company. 

Bancroft,  Cuming  County,  Nebraska.  Was  named  for  George  Bancroft,  tha 
American  historian. 

Barden,  Scott  County,  Minnesota,  was  named  for  J.  W.  Barden,  who  waa 
largely  interested  in  grain  elevators  and  other  business  enterprises  here 
and  hereabouts.  The  place  was  first  called  Sibley  for  General  Henry  H. 
Sibley  the  early  pioneer  of  Minnesota.  It  was  afterwards  called  Long 
Lake  from  a  nearby  lake  of  that  name.  Its  present  name  was  given  it 
in  1885. 

Barksdale,  Bayfield  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  by  W.  G.  Ramsay,  April 
7th,  1904  for  II.  M.  Barksdale,  president  of  the  Atlantic  Manufacturing 
Company  that  has  large  powder  mills  here. 


IC8  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 

Barronett,  Barron  County,  Wisconsin.  The  town  was  platted  in  1880  and  was 
named  Foster  City  for  Jerry  Foster  who  owned  interests  here  at  that 
time.  That  name  was  dropped  for  that  of  Bourne  for  Captain  W.  R. 
Bourne,  an  early  business  man  of  the  place.  The  next  year,  Captain 
Bourne  changed  the  name  to  its  present  form.  This  name  came  from  the 
name  of  the  county,  with  the  letters  "ett"  added  for  euphony.  The 
county  was  named  for  Judge  Henry  D.  Barron  of  Wisconsin. 

Bayfield,  Bayfield  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  in  1856  by  United  States 
Senator  H.  M.  Rice  of  Minnesota,  in  honor  of  a  British  officer  named 
Bayfield,  who,  in  a  very  early  day,  explored,  surveyed  and  charted  for 
the  first  time,  the  shores  of  Lake  Superior. 

Beaver  Creek,  Rock  County,  Minnesota,  was  named  from  a  nearby  creek.  The 
creek  was  so  named  because  many  beaver  (Castor  Canadmins)  dams  were 
on  it  when  it  was  first  discovered  by  the  whites. 

Beebe,  Douglas  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  Dr.  C.  V.  Beebe  of  Superior, 
Wisconsin. 

Beldenville,  Pierce  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  in  1860  by  A.  Belden  for 
his  family  name.     He  was  a  large  mill  and  land  owner  at  this  point. 

Belle  Plaine,  Scott  County,  Minnesota,  was  named  in  1853  by  Judge  Andrew 
G.  Chatfield,  one  of  the  Associate  Justices  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the 
Territory  of  Minnesota,  from  the  French  words  meaning  "beautiful  field 
or  plain,"  because  this  name  was  descriptive  of  the  place  and  its  sur- 
roundings. The  Judge  lived  here  from  1857  to  1871,  and  after  the  forma- 
tion of  the  State  was  on  the  Bench  until  1875. 

Bennett,  Douglas  County,  Wisconsin,  wag  named  for  Richard  Bennett,  who 
at  one  time  had  a  side  track  here  for  use  in  his  business. 

Benoit,  Bayfield  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  Antoine  Benoit,  an  early 
French  settler. 

Bibon,  Bayfield  Count}-,  Wisconsin.  This  town  was  started  in  1879  and  was 
called  Mason  Junction.  The  name  was  soon  changed  by  W.  F.  Fitch, 
Manager  of  the  Duluth,  South  Shore  and  Atlantic  Railroad,  to  its  present 
form.  The  name  is  a  corruption  of  the  Chippewa  Indian  word — bibwine — 
or  pe-boan — "winter."  It  was  applied  to  this  place  by  Mr.  Fitch  in 
honor  of  E.  W.  Winter,  then  a  prominent  railroad  official  of  St.  Paul, 
Minnesota,  and  now  (1907)  of  New  York  City. 

Blgelow,  Nobles  County,  Minnesota,  was  located  in  1872  and  named  for  Charles 
H.  Bigelow,  who  in  an  early  day  lived  here,  and  aided  in  having  the 
railroad  built  through  the  place,  and  who  is  now  (1907)  president  of 
the  St.  Paul  Fire  and  Marine  Insurance  Company  at  St.  Paul,  Minnesota. 

Bingham  Lake,  Cottonwood  County,  Minnesota,  was  named  from  a  nearby 
lake.  The  lake  was  named,  by  the  United  States  surveyor,  for  Senator 
H.  S.  Bingham  of  Michigan. 

Birchwood,  Washburn  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  by  W.  A.  Scott,  th« 
General  Manager  of  the  Chicago,  St.  Paul,  Minneapolis  and  Omaha  Rail- 
road, when  the  town  was  located.  He  so  named  the  place  because  it  wa» 
established  in  the  midst  of  a  dense  grove  of  White  Birch  (Betula 
populifolia)  trees. 

Black  River  Falls.  Jackson  County,  Wisconsin.  This  settlement  was  started 
in  1830.  The  Mormons  built  a  mill  here  in  an  early  day  and  her©  cut 
much   of  the  timber  that   was  used   in  building  their  temple  at   Nauvoo. 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line  169 

The  present  town  was  platted  in  1860  and  was  named  from  the  river  and 
falls  of  the  river  here.  This  named  came  from  the  dark  appearance  of 
the  water  which  was  caused  by  the  decomposition  of  pine  and  hemlock 
bark  and  roots  from  the  forests  that  lined  its  banks  for  many  miles. 
Blair,  Washington  County,  Nebraska,  was  named  for  John  I.  Blair  of  Blairs- 
town,  New  Jersey  and  who  built  the  first  railroad  through  the  place. 

Blakeley,  Scott  County,  Minnesota,  was  named  by  E.  F.  Drake  and  I.  N. 
Dean,  who  in  1867  when  the  town  was  laid  out,  had  an  interest  in  the  town 
site  and  in  the  railroad  that  passed  through  it.  Tt  was  named  for 
Captain  Russell  Blakely  of  St.  Paul,  Minnesota.  He  was  prominent  in 
an  early  day  in  stage  and  steamboat  transportation. 

Bloomer,  Chippewa  County,  Wisconsin.  Its  first  name  was  Vanville  and  was 
given  it  for  Sylvester  Van  Loon,  its  first  settler  and  first  postmaster. 
The  origin  of  the  present  name  can  not  be  ascertained. 

Bloomfield,  Knox  County,  Nebraska.  The  town  was  established  in  1890  by  the 
Northern  Nebraska  Land  and  Improvement  Company,  and  was  supposed  to 
be  descriptive  of  it  and  its  vicinity,  viz:  "blooming  fields,"  "fields  full 
of  blossoms."  This  place  was  once  known  as  Wausa  and  was  so  named 
from  a  Swedish  Church  having  that  name  and  located  about  three  miles 
from  the  present  site  of  Bloomfield. 

Blue  Earth,  Faribault  County,  Minnesota,  was  so  named  from  the  nearby  river 
because  of  the  soil  from  its  banks  owing  to  its  containing  copper  had  a 
decidededly  bluish  cast.  The  town  was  laid  out  by  H.  P.  Constance  and 
J.  B.  Wakefield. 

Bluff,  Jackson  County,  Minnesota,  was  named  from  a  bluff  or  abrupt  elevation 
of  land  nearby. 

Boardman,  St.  Croix  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  in  1853  by  and  for  C.  A. 
Boardman,  the  first  settler. 

Bradley,  Blue  Earth  County,  Minnesota.  This  place  was  named  from  the 
Bradley  crossing  of  the  Blue  Earth  River.  The  crossing  was  named  for  the 
Bradley  family,  who  owned  the  farm  on  which  the  town  is  located  anri 
who  established  the  river  crossing. 

Brandon,  Minnehaha  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  from  the  township  and 
that  was  named  from  Brandon,  Vermont.  It  is  a  corruption  of  "burnt 
town"  from  the  fact  of  the  burning  of  the  Vermont  settlement  by  Indians 
in  1777. 

Brewster,  Nobles  County,  Minnesota,  was  originally  called  Hersey,  for  a 
prominent  citizen  of  Stillwater,  Minnesota,  who  was  largely  interested  in 
the  railroad  when  it  reached  this  point,  but  owing  to  confusion  with  a 
similar  name  it  was  changed  to  its  present  form.  The  present  name  was 
given  it  in  honor  of  Brewster,  a  town  in  Barnstable  County,  Massachusetts, 
which  was  named  in  honor  of  Elder  William  Brewster  ,one  of  the  first 
settlers  in  the  Plymouth  colony. 

Brill,  Barron  County,  Wisconsin,  was  started  in  1901  and  was  named  by  W.  A. 

Scott,   then   General  Manager  of  the  railroad   for  Judge  Hascal  R.   Brill, 

District  Judge  of  Ramsay  County,  Minnesota. 
Brunet,   Chippewa  County,  Wisconsin,   was   named   for   Captain   Jean   Brunet, 

one  of  the  pioneers  and  for  whom  a  nearby  cataract   (Brunet  Falls)   was 


170  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Ljne 

named.  Captain  Brunet  was  the  first  permanent  white  settler  on  this 
Chippewa  River,  having  settled  there  in  1832  and  built  the  first  sawmill 
on  that  stream  in  1836. 

Burkhardt,  St.  Croix  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  C.  Burkhardt,  the  owner 
of  a  flouring  mill  operated  here  before  the  town  was  located. 

Butterfield,  Watonwan  County,  Minnesota,  was  named  for  William  Butter- 
field,  the  original  owner  of  the  town  site  and  its  first  settler. 

Cable,  Bayfield  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  by  and  for  R.  Cable  an  earlj 
settler  here  and  who  conducted  the  first  hotel  in  this  part  of  the  country. 
The  present  town  was  laid  out  in  1878  and  for  three  or  more  years  was 
the  northern  terminus  of  the  branch  of  the  railroad  that  runs  through  the 
plaee. 

Cameron,  Barron  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  by  Colonel  George  W.  Ginty, 
in  honor  of  Hon.  Angus  Cameron,  for  many  years,  United  States  Senator 
from  Wisconsin. 

Camp  Douglas,  Juneau  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  the  Douglas  Log- 
ging Company  that  had  "logging  camps"  here  long  before  any  railroad 
penetrated  this  part  of  the  state.  The  present  town  was  laid  out  in  1870. 
The  Logging  Company  was  named  for  James  Douglas  and  the  town  was 
named  by  A.  Chombielier  of  Kilbourn,  Wis. 

Carnes,  Sioux  County,  Iowa,  was  named  for  Edward  Carnes,  a  long  time  road- 
master  of  the  railroad  that  ran  through  this  place. 

Carroll,  Wayne  County,  Nebraska,  was  named  by  E.  W.  Winter,  the  General 
Manager  of  the  railroad  when  it  was  opened  to  this  point.  It  was  named 
for  Charles  Carroll  of  Carrollton,  Maryland,  one  of  the  signers  of  the 
Declaration  of  Independence. 

Cedarhurst,  Clark  County,  Wisconsin.  This  name  was  made  for  the  occasion. 
The  word  "Cedar"  was  used  because  of  the  presence  of  many  cedar 
(Thuja)  trees  nearby  and  "hurst"  for  the  Dutch  word  hoorsi  which 
means  "grove."    Hence  the  name  means  Cedar  Grove. 

Chandler,  Washburn  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  Hon.  Zachariah  Chand- 
ler, United  States  Senator  from  Michigan,  who  owned  land  in  this  vicinity. 

Chapman,  St.  Croix  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  A.  W.  Chapman,  once 
chief  train  despatcher  of  the  railroad  that  runs  through  this  place. 

Chetek,  Barron  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  by  Knapp,  Stout  and  Company, 
lumbermen  here,  for  a  Chippewa  Indian  Chief,  whose  name  by  various 
writers  was  spelled  Chetek,  SheteTc,  Shetaclc,  Shetuc,  and  ChetacJc  respect- 
ively. In  a  very  early  day  in  Connecticut  the  word  was  spelled  Shetucket, 
and  gave  the  name  to  a  river  there,  the  meaning  being  "land  between  two 
rivers,"   or,   according  to   another  authority,  "confluence  of  rivers." 

Chili,  Clark  County,  Wisconsin,  was  located  in  1893  and  was  named  by  Ira 
Fick  and  Charles  Coiedius,  from  Chili  in  South  America. 

Chippewa  Falls,  Chippewa  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  by  H.  S.  Allen  in 
1847  from  the  falls  (rapids)  in  the  river  that  runs  through  the  place. 
The  river  was  named  from  the  noted  Chippewa  (Ojibway)  Indian  tribe 
that  inhabited  this,  as  well  as  other  parts  of  the  state.  The  word  means 
"puckered  up,"  or  "to  roast  till  puckered  up." 

Clarks,  St.  Croix  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  J.  T.  Clark,  who  was 
Second  Vice  President  of  the  Chicago,  St.  Paul,  Minneapolis  and  Omaha 
Railroad,  when  the  town  was  established. 


HlSTOKY   OF  THE    PLACE   NAMES    OF    TlIE    NORTH    WESTERN    LlNIC  171 

Clayton,  Polk  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  Clayton  Rodgers,  a  foreman 
of  a  mill  owned  by  Humbird  and  Company  at  this  point. 

Clear  Lake,  Polk  County,  Wisconsin.  This  town  was  named  from  a  nearby 
lake.     The   town  was  organized   in   1877. 

Cliff,  Dakota  County,  Minnesota,  was  named  from  nearby  cliffs  or  bluffs  and 
was  illustrative  of  the  location.  This  name  was  adopted  in  1902  as  a 
suggestion  from  F.  L.  Slaker,  the  Superintendent  of  the  railroad  that 
passed  through  the  place.     Its  earliest  name  was  East  Connection. 

Cobban,  Chippewa  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  S.  C.  F.  Cobban  of 
Chippewa  Falls,  Wisconsin,  the  owner  of  much  land  in  the  vicinity  of  this 
town. 

Cobum,  Dakota  County,  Nebraska,  was  named  for  Warren  and  Zerah  Colburn, 
Mathematician  and  Arithmetrical  prodigy  respectively,  but  was  misspelled 
in  making  the  plat  of  the  town  and  was  so  recorded  and  the  error  allowed 
to  stand.  A  legend  claims  that  the  place  was  named  for  "Fred"  Colburn, 
a  railroad  ticket  agent  of  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  and  another  asserted  it  was 
named  for  a  pugilist,  but  so  far  as  can  now  be  learned,  both  these  legendt 
are  untrue  ,and  the  first  named  derivation  is  the  correct  one,  and  the  one 
that  should  go  down  in  history  as  the  true  one. 

Coffman,  Washington  County,  Nebraska.  This  town  was  laid  out  in  1886  and 
was  named  for  Dr.  V.  H.  Coffman,  who  owned  the  farm  on  which  the  town 
was  platted. 

Coleridge,  Cedar  County,  Nebraska,  was  named  by  an  admirer  of  his  "  philoso 
phy"  for  Samuel  T.  Coleridge,  the  English  author-poet  and  "philosopher." 

Columbia,  Clark  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  the  poem  "Hail  Colum- 
bia" by  the  Heckney,  Boynton  Lumber  Company,  that  had  property  here. 

Comfort,  Dunn  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  Comfort  Starr,  a  son  of 
W.  J.  Starr  of  Eau  Clair,  Wisconsin.  The  party  giving  it  this  name,  said 
that  it  would  express  the  hope  that,  all  who  eame  here  to  live  would 
find   comfort  while  dwelling  here. 

Comstock,  Barron  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  Judge  H.  S.  Comstock 
of  Cumberland,  Wisconsin. 

Concord,  Dixon  County,  Nebraska,  was  named  by  Marvin  Hughitt,  president  of 
the  Chicago,  St.  Paul,  Minneapolis  and  Omaha  Railroad  from  the  Concord 
(bridge)  battlefield  in  Massachusetts. 

Cornell,  Chippewa  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  Ezra  Cornell,  the  founder 
and  supporter  of  Cornell  University  at  Ithaca,  New  York.  The  college 
owned  most  of  the  land  in  this  vicinity.  The  foresight  of  Mr.  Cornell 
caused  him  to  locate  much  of  the  University  landscrip  in  this  vicinity. 
The  wisdom  of  his  choice  has  been  demonstrated  beyond  a  question;  much 
of  the  support  of  the  University  having  come  from  the  revenue  from  these 
lands.  Had  it  not  been  for  Mr.  Cornell's  perseverance  in  the  case,  the  land 
grant  would  have  been  frittered  away,  and  hence  what  is  now  his  immortal 
monument,  but  for  his  sagacity  would  doubtless  have  had  no  existence 
today. 

Couderay,  Sawyer  County,  Wisconsin.  This  place  was  named  from  a  uearby 
lake.  The  word,  however,  is  a  corruption  of  the  proper  name  of  the  lake 
which  is  Lac  Courte  Oreille.  The  name  was  given  to  the  lake  by  early 
French  traders  and  means  "Short  Ear."  It  is  stated  the  name  was  given 
to    the   lake    owing    to   a    massacre    having    taken    place    on    its    shore,    in 


172  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 


which  the  victors  saved  the  ears  of  the  victims  for  a  cannibalistic  feast, 
and  which  is  said  to  have  been  partaken  of  on  the  lake  shore.  It  is 
notorious  that  the  Huron  Indians  were  cannibals  as  they  killed  and  made 
a  feast  of  Stephen  (Ettaine)  Brule. 

County  Line,  Pierce  County,  Wisconsin,  was  so  named  from  the  fact  that  it 
was  located  on  the  line  between  the  counties  of  St.  Croix  and  Pierce. 

Cray,  Blue  Earth  County,  Minnesota.  This  town  was  named  for  Lorin  Cray, 
Judge  of  the  Sixth  Judicial  District  of  Minnesota,  who  resided  in  1906 
at  Mankato,  Minnesota.  He  was  for  many  years  the  attorney  of  the 
railroad  company. 

Crofton,  Knox  County,  Nebraska.  This  place  was  named  for  Mr.  J.  T.  M. 
Pierce  from  Crofton  Court,  a  place  he  owned  in  England.  He  spent 
much  time  and  money  in  trying  to  procure  the  construction  of  a  railroad 
from  Yankton,  South  Dakota  to  Norfolk,  Nebraska.  It  was  in  honor  of 
these  efforts  that  the  place  was  named  as  it  is. 

Craig,  Burt  County,  Nebraska,  was  named  by  and  for  W.  S.  Craig,  who  es- 
tablished the  town  in  1881. 

Cumberland,  Barron  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  by  J.  A.  Humbird  in  1873 
from  the  City  in  Maryland.  That  city  was  named  for  the  Duke  of  Cumber- 
land, the  victor  in  the  Battle  of  Culloden  of  Scotch-English  history.  In  an 
early  day,  Cumberland,  Wisconsin,  was  called  Lake  Land,  because  of  the 
many  lakes  in  the  vicinity. 

Currie,  Murray  County,  Minnesota,  was  named  in  1872  by  Neil  Currie,  the 
first  settler,  for  the  Currie  family.  It  formerly  was  called  Shetek  from 
the  nearby  Lake  Shetek,  on  the  banks  of  which,  mnny  settlers  were 
massacred  by  the  Sioux  Indians  in  1862.  The  name  of  this  lake  comes  from 
an  Indian  word  that  has  many  forms  of  spelling.  (For  these,  and  other 
facts  connected  with  the  word  see  Chetek,  Barron  County,  Wisconsin,  in 
this  history  of  place  names). 

Dakota  City,  Dakota  County,  Nebraska,  was  established  on  September  20th, 
1855,  and  was  named  by  Mrs.  D.  C.  Crockwell,  the  wife  of  J.  D.  M.  Crock- 
well,  for  the  Indian  tribe.  The  Indian  (Sioux)  form  of  the  word  is 
Lakota,  Nokota  or  Dakota,  according  to  the  dialect,  and  signifying 
"allies,"  the  common  Indian  name  of  the  confederated  Sioux  tribes.  The 
word  Sioux  is  a  white  man's  corruption  of  the  Ojibway  Indian  name, 
Nadowessious,  for  the  tribe.  It  meant  "snake,"  "snake  like"  or  "ene- 
mies." 

Dauby,  Bayfield  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  Gunder  Dauby,  formerly 
connected  with  the  White  River  Lumber  Company  at  Mason,  Minnesota, 
and  who  in  an  early  day  owned  and  operated  a  sawmill  at  this  place. 

Deer  Park,  St.  Croix  County,  Wisconsin.  The  town  was  established  in  1876 
and  was  named  by  Otto  Neitge,  a  German  who  built  a  twelve  foot  high 
fence  around  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land  adjoining  this  place, 
and  within  this  fenced  in  park,  placed  over  three  hundred  deer  and 
protected   them  from  Indians  and  "pot"  hunters. 

Delft,  Cottonwood  County,  Minnesota,  was  established  in  1892  and  was  named 
for  the  city  in  Holland  by  John  Bartsch  and  Henry  Wieb.  Previous  to 
adopting  this  name  the  village  was  called  Wilhelmine,  a  female  given 
name  common  in  Holland. 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line  173 

DeSoto,  Washington  County,  Nebraska.  This  town  was  opened  in  1880  and 
was  named  for  Hernando  de  Soto,  the  renowned  Spanish  explorer  and 
discoverer  of  the  Mississippi  River. 

Donald,  Taylor  County,  Wisconsin,  was  started  in  1903  and  was  named  by 
W.  J.  Campbell  for  Donald  Campbell,  his  son.  The  Fountain-Campbell 
Lumber  Company  having  large  interests  here  and  hereabouts  once  called 
the  location  Fountain  aud  the  railroad  company  caller  it  Fountain  Spur, 
because  of  a  spur  or  branch  track  that  was  operated  for  the  lumber  com- 
pany.   W.  J.  Campbell  was  the  president  of  this  lumber  company. 

Doon,  Lyon  County,  Iowa,  was  established  in  1868  and  was  named  by  H.  D. 
Eice,  its  earliest  settler  from  the  "Bonnie  Doon"  of  Robert  Burns'  poem. 

Dovray,  Murray  County,  Minnesota.  This  village  was  named  in  1904  from 
the  township.  The  township  was  named  by  the  early  Norwegian  settlers 
from  Doverf  jeld  in  Norway. 

Draper,  Sawyer  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  Lyman  C.  Draper,  the 
projector  and  devoted  life-long  secretary  of  the  Wisconsin  Historical 
Society,  by  whose  work  a  collection  of  early  history  has  been  pre- 
served in  its  library,  which  is  not  equalled  by  any  other  collection  any- 
where. Dr.  Draper's  entire  life  was  spent  in  collecting  and  editing  manu- 
scripts, pamphlets  and  books  of  the  early  history  of  the  North-West  and  of 
its  founders.  To  his  indefatigable  efforts,  we  are  indebted  for  biographies 
of  a  large  number  of  our  heroic  Indian  fighters,  who  were  largely  instru- 
mental in  wresting  the  territory  now  known  as  the  North-West  from  the 
grasp  of  the  savages,  and  holding  it  open  for  the  march  of  civilization. 
The  Wisconsin  State  Historical  Society,  with  its  excellent  library  of  rare 
and  valuable  volumes  and  its  large  collection  of  original  manuscripts 
of  Wisconsin  pioneers,  is  a  lasting  monument  to  Dr.  Draper;  but  heretofore 
there  has  been  no  town  or  village  named  for  this  useful,  if  not  famous, 
benefactor,  and  it  has  fallen  to  the  Chicago,  St.  Paul,  Minneapolis  and 
Omaha  Railway  to  perpetuate  his  memory  in  the  annals  of  Wisconsin. 

Drummond,  Bayfield  County,  Wisconsin.  This  village  was  started  in  1882 
and  was  named  by  W.  A.  Rust  for  F.  H.  Drummond,  the  General  Manager 
of  the  Rust,  Owen  Lumber  Company,  that  owned  large  interests  here. 

Duluth,  St.  Louis  County,  Minnesota.  The  city  was  started  in  1856  and  its 
name  was  suggested  by  Rev.  J.  G.  Wilson  of  Logansport,  Indiana.  It 
was  named  for  Sieur  Daniel  Graysolon  Duluth,  a  French  traveller,  and 
who  was  one  of  the  first  whites  to  set  foot  on  the  north  shore  of  Lak« 
Superior.  The  name  in  some  of  the  Jesuit  Relations,  is  spelled  DuLuth, 
and  in  others  Dulud.  The  spelling  of  the  name  of  the  place  has  not  fol- 
lowed these  "Relations."  "The  zenith  city  of  the  unsalted  sea"  today 
l'etains  the  spelling  that  was  first  applied  to  its  name. 

Dundee,  Nobles  County,  Minnesota,  was  located  in  1879  and  was  named  from 
the  city  in  Scotland.  Its  earliest  name  was  Warren,  and  was  named  for 
the  immortal  Joseph  Warren,  who  fell  in  the  battle  of  Bunker 'g  Hill. 

Eagle  Point,  Chippewa  County,  Wisconsin.  During  the  war  of  the  Rebellion, 
one  of  the  Wisconsin  regiments  that  became  justly  celebrated,  carried  with 
it,  when  it  left  Wisconsin,  and  brought  it  back  at  the  end  of  the  war,  a 
Bald-headed  Eagle,  which  the  regiment  named  "Old  Abe"  the  familiar 
and  affectionate  nickname  for  President  Abraham  Lincoln.  This  eagle 
was  caught  in  the  bluffs  near  this  point,  and  at  the  end  of  the  war,  when 


174  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 

the  eagle  was  returned  to  Wisconsin,  the  point  or  bluff  was  named  fur 
him.  When  the  eagle  died,  its  skin  was  stuffed,  and  it  is  preserved  in  the 
rooms  of  the  Wisconsin  Historical  Society  at  Madison,  Wisconsin. 

Eastlake,  Le  Sueur  County,  Minnesota,  was  named  because  of  its  location  near 
East  lake. 

Earl,  Washburn  County,  Wisconsin.     This   place  was  formerly   known   as   Sin 
clair  Spur,  but  its  name  was  changed  in  1906  to  conform  to  that  of  the 
postoffice.     This   last   name   was   given   it   for   Earl   McDill,   a   relative   of 
John  Whitney  the  postmaster,  who  was  in  charge  of  the  postoffice  when 
the  name  was  changed. 

Eagle,  Bayfield  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  the  eagle  and  because 
many  every  year  were  seen  in  the  vicinity. 

Eton,  Pipestone  County,  Minnesota.  This  place  was  at  one  time  named 
Gray,  but  was  changed  to  Eton  from  a  celebrated  school  in  England,  at 
which  the  Close  brothers  and  Benson  were  educated.  These  gentlemen 
colonized  many  Englishmen  in  this  county,  and  the  people  of  this  place 
wished  to  honor  their  memories  by  naming  this  place  for  their  school. 

Eau  Claire,  Eau  Claire  County,  Wisconsin.  The  town  was  started  in  1842 
by  Simon  Randall,  who  built  the  first  sawmill  here.  The  town  was  named 
for  one  of  the  rivers  that  flows  through  it.  In  1767,  the  Eau  Claire  Eiver 
was  discovered  by  Johnathan  Carver  and  his  followers.  Carver's  Voyageurs 
came  up  the  Chippewa  River  from  the  Mississippi  in  batteaux.  The 
Mississippi  and  Chippewa  Rivers  were  swollen  by  recent  rains  and  were 
exceedingly  muddy.  Arriving  at  the  mouth  of  the  Eau  Claire  River, 
they  were  surprised  to  find  clear  water.  "L'eaii  clairc"  Ihey  cried  on  dis- 
covering the  clear  water.  The  Eau  Claire  River  takes  its  name  from 
that  occurrence  and  means  "clear  water."  Carver's  voyageurs  had  been 
unable  to  obtain  satisfactory  drinking  water  from  the  time  they  left  the 
Mississippi  until  they  reached  the  Eau  Claire  River,  the  streams  interven- 
ing being  very  muddy  by  reason  of  the  heavy  rains  prevailing  and  the 
swollen  condition  of  the  streams.  So  far  as  known  they  are  the  first  white 
men  to  set  foot  on  this  section  of  Wisconsin.  The  Eau  Claire  and  Chippewa 
Rivers  have  their  confluences  in  the  heart  of  Eau  Claire.  In  1S54  oc- 
curred the  last  battle  between  the  hostile  Sioux  and  Chippewas,  taking 
place  within  a  few  miles  of  what  was  to  become  the  town  site  of  Eau 
Claire.  By  act  of  legislature  in  October  1856,  the  county  was  organized 
with  Eau  Claire  as  its  county  seat.  The  railroad  reached  this  place  on 
August  10,  1S70. 

Ebbe,  Wood  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  P.  R.  Ebbe,  who  owned  a  saw- 
mill at  this  point. 

Eileen,  Bayfield  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  Miss  Eileen  Thompkins  of 
Ashland,  Wisconsin. 

Elcva,  Trempeleau  County,  Wisconsin.  This  town  was  started  in  1880  and  was 
named  by  R.  P.  Coddard  of  Mondovi,  Wisconsin,  on  the  suggestion  of 
Mr.  Gates  who  formerly  lived  here.  The  origin  of  the  name  is  unknown 
to  Mr.  Goddard,  but  he  thinks  Mr.  Gates  found  a  place  of  that  name  in 
France. 

Elk  Mound,  Dunn  County,  Wisconsin.  This  town  was  started  in  1871  and  was 
named  from  a  nearby  large  and  high  mound  on  which  was  found  the  bones 


History  of  the  Place  Names  or  The  North   Western   Line  175 

of  many  Elk,  which  proved  that  Elk  were  plentiful  there  before  the  advent 
of  the  whites. 

Ellis,  Minnehaha  County,  South  Dakota.  This  town  was  located  in  1S80  and 
was  named  Scoopville,  because  while  it,  was  a  point  at  which  much  grain 
was  handled  and  shipped,  it  all  had  to  be  moved  with  "scoop  shovels." 
When  grain  elevators  were  built,  here,  the  name  was  changed  at  the  sug- 
gestion of  Peavey  and  Company,  grain  buyers,  and  named  for  A.  M. 
Ellis,  the  grain  manager  here  for  that  firm. 

Ellsworth,  Pierce  County,  Wisconsin.  The  town  was  established  in  1866  and 
its  name  was  suggested  by  Mrs.  Henry  P.  Ames,  and  it  was  named  in 
honor  of  Colonel  Elmer  E.  Ellsworth  of  the  Chicago  Zouaves,  who  was 
murdered  at  Alexandria,  Virginia  in  the  early  days  of  the  War  of  the 
Rebellion.  Previous  to  its  being  so  named,  the  place  was  called  Perry, 
in  honor  of  Commodore  O.  H.  Perry  of  the  United  States  Navy,  the  hero 
of  the  battle  of  Lake  Erie  in  the  war  of  1812. 

Elmore,  Faribault  County,  Minnesota,  was  named  by  President  Marvin  Hughitt, 
of  the  Chicago,  St.  Paul,  Minneapolis  and  Omaha  Railway  for  Hon.  Andrew 
E.  Elmore  of  (Fort  Howard)  Green  Bay,  Wisconsin,  who  had  been  con- 
nected with  the  material  interests  of  Wisconsin  since  its  Territorial  days. 
He  was  one  of  the  makers  of  the  Constitution  of  the  State  and  was  so 
wise  and  far-seeing  that  he  was  called  the  "sage  of  Muckwanago. " 
Muckwanago  is  a  village  in  Waukesha  County,  Wisconsin  where  Mr.  Elmore 
lived  and  traded  while  the  Indians  yet  lived  there. 

Elmwood,  Pierce  County,  Wisconsin.  The  town  was  started  in  1902.  Seven 
teen  years  previously  a  postoffice  named  Elmwood  was  established  and 
named  by  Nathan  Utter  and  Thomas  Kelly,  nearby  pioneers.  When  the 
town  was  platted  it  was  named  for  this  old  postoffice.  The  name  for  the 
postoffice  was  suggested  by  the  abundance  of  White  Elm  (Ulmus  Ameri- 
cana) trees  that  grew  around  the  place. 

Elroy,  Juneau  County,  Wisconsin.  In  1858  this  place  was  named  Ell  Roy  by 
J.  M.  Britnall,  to  distinguish  it,  from  LeRo}',  a  village  nearby.  It  is 
supposed  that  Mr.  Britnall  adopted  the  name  from  some  place  in  Scot- 
land as  he  always  claimed  the  name  was  Scotch.  When  the  railroad  reached 
this  village  the  present  name  was  adopted  as  an  elision  of  the  name  it 
originally   held. 

Emerald,  St.  Croix  County,  Wisconsin,  was  started  in  1883  and  was  named 
from  the  township.  The  township  was  named  from  the  great  and  peculiar 
greenness  of  the  foilage  of  the  trees  in  it  when  it  was  first  surveyed. 

Emerson,  Dixon  County,  Nebraska.  This  town  was  platted  in  1881  and  was 
named  by  E.  W.  Winter,  then  General  Manager  of  the  Chicago,  St.  Paul, 
Minneapolis  and  Omaha  Railroad,  in  honor  of  Ralph  W.  Emerson,  the 
"Sage  of  Concord"  Massachusetts.  It  was  first  called  Kennesaw  from  the 
battle   (mountain)   field  in  Georgia. 

Fairchild,  Eau  Claire  County,  Wisconsin.  This  place  was  named  by  William 
Reynolds,  its  first  postmaster  for  Lucius  Fairchild,  Governor  of  Wisconsin 
from  1866  to  1872. 

Fairmont,  Martin  County,  Minnesota.  The  original  name  was  Fair  Mount, 
and  was  ro  named  from  its  location  on  a  mound  or  high  ridge  of  ground. 
The  spelling  of  the  name  was  changed  by  O.  P.  Chubb  and  C.  A.  Louns- 
berry  who  were  interested  in  the  place. 


176  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 

Fall  Creek,  Eau  Claire  County,  Wisconsin,  wa8  named  from  the  nearby  creek. 
This  creek  was  named  from  many  pretty  "falls"  (rapids)  along  its 
course.  The  town  was  formerly  named  Cousins  for  an  attorney  from  Eau 
Claire  who  was  interested  in  the  village.    The  town  was  started  in  1870. 

Farmer,  Hanson  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  by  Joseph  Altenhofer  for 
"the  Farmers"  as  the  surrounding  country  promised  to  be  a  "farmers' 
paradise,"  and  he  said  the  town  was  to  be  supported  by  the  farmers. 

Fordyce,  Cedar  County,  Nebraska.  This  place  was  named  in  honor  of  William 
B.  Fordyce,  for  more  than  twenty-five  years  a  train  despatcher  on  this  line 
of  railroad. 

Fleming,  St.  Croix  County,  Wisconsin.  This  name  merely  indicates  a  point 
that  is  shown  on  the  time  table  of  the  road.  The  name  has  no  historical 
significance. 

Florence,  Douglas  County,  Nebraska.  In  1845-7  the  Mormon  legions  established 
and  maintained  a  resting  place  here  and  called  it  "Winter  quarters,"  and 
as  such,  it  was  used  for  a  long  time.  In  the  town  park  is  a  large  cotton- 
wood  tree  that  is  said  to  have  been  planted  by  Brigham  Young.  In  1854 
the  place  was  given  its  present  name  by  A.  J.  Smith  and  his  associates, 
from  the  City  in  Italy.  At  one  time,  this  was  the  capital  of  the  Terri- 
tory of  Nebraska,  and  at  least  one  session  of  the  Legislature  was  held 
here.  In  1856  it  was  the  headquarters  of  The  Florence  Bank  of  Nebraska, 
owned  by  Davenport,  Iowa,  people,  and  was  one  of  the  worst  "Wild  Cat 
paper  money"  swindles  that  ever  afflicted  the  west.  Millions  of  dollars-  of 
the  "stuff"  (queer)  was  put  out  and  but  very  little  of  it  was  ever  re- 
deemed.    The  losses  to  the  holders  amounted  to  millions  of  dollars. 

Forest  City,  Bayfield  County,  Wisconsin.  This  name  merely  indicates  a  point 
that  is  shown  on  the  time  table  of  the  road.  The  name  has  no  historical 
significance. 

Fulton,  Hanson  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  by  the  Northern  Nebraska 
Land  and  Improvement  Company  in  1887  in  honor  of  Robert  Fulton,  the 
inventor  of  the  steamboat. 

Fort  Calhoun,  Washington  County,  Nebraska.  In  an  early  day  a  United 
States  Army  post  was  established  here,  or  near  here  and  was  called  Fort 
Atkinson,  and  is  believed  to  have  been  named  for  the  Commander  of  the 
first  troops  that  were  stationed  here.  In  1819  it,  or  its  successor  got  the 
name  of  Fort  Calhoun  and  was  so  known  up  to  1827.  By  some  authorities, 
its  name  came  from  John  C.  Calhoun  of  South  Carolina,  while  others  deny 
this  and  claim  that  it  was  the  name  of  a  soldier  of  this  post.  The  ruins  of 
an  old  fort  were  plainly  visible  here  a  short  time  ago.  When  the  railroad 
reached  this  place,  it  dropped  the  word  "Fort"  and  the  place  was  there- 
after called  Calhoun.  There  is  scarcely  any  place  on  the  Missouri  River 
where  so  much  doubt  exists  as  to  its  early  history,  as  this.  In  his  history 
of  Omaha  by  Sorensen,  Father  DeSmet,  S.  J.,  is  given  as  authority  for 
Fort  Atkinson  being  the  same  as  Fort  Calhoun,  and  also  that  Fort  Calhoun 
was  the  location  of  the  Council  Bluffs  of  the  days  of  the  "Lewis  and 
Clark  Expedition."  Lately  the  citizens  of  the  place  had  the  name 
changed  back  to  Fort  Calhoun,  so  that  now  the  name  of  the  town,  station 
and  postoffice,  is  the  same.  (See  Council  Bluffs'  in  the  alphabetical  list 
of  places  in  this  book,  for  further  information  in  regard  to  this  place.) 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line  177 

Garden  City,  Blue  Earth  County,  Minnesota.  This  town  was  started  in  1856 
and  was  given  its  present  name  in  1879,  as  the  name  was  supposed  to  be 
descriptive  of  the  place.  Even  to  this  day  in  the  spring,  the  surrounding 
country  is  like  a  garden  of  wild  flowers. 

Gordon,  Douglas  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  by  "Butwine"  Gordon  for 
Antoine  Gordon,  a  French-Indian  trader  who  had  a  post  here  in  a  very 
early  day  and  carried  on  an  extesive  trade  with  the  Indians  who  then  were 
numerous  hereabouts. 

Gillett's  Spur,  Sawyer  County,  Wisconsin.  This  name  merely  indicates  a  point 
that  is  shown  on  the  time  table  of  the  road.  The  name  has  no  historical 
significance. 

Grandview,  Bayfield  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  by  John  E.  Glover  as* 
descriptive  of  its  situation.  In  an  early  day  the  place  was  named  Pratt 
for  C.  H.  Pratt  the  pioneer  settler  in  the  place. 

Glover,  St.  Croix  County,  Wisconsin.  This  name  merely  indicates  a  point  that 
is  shown  on  the  time  table  of  the  road.  The  name  has  no  historical 
significance.     It  comes  from  J.  E.  Glover,  a  prominent  lumberman. 

Granite  Lake,  Barron  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  a  nearby  lake.  That 
lake  was  so  named  because  it  was  surrounded  with  the  granite  rock. 

Gehlen,  Plymouth  County,  Iowa.  This  name  merely  indicates  a  point  that  is 
shown  on  the  time  table  of  the  road.  The  name  has  no  historical 
significance. 

Granton,  Clark  County,  Wisconsin.  This  town  was  started  in  1891.  It  first 
name  was  Maple  Works.  For  some  now  unknown  reason,  it  was  thought 
best  to  change  the  name,  and  the  present  name  resulted.  Grant  was  the 
name  of  the  township  and  to  the  word  "Grant"  the  citizens  added  the 
syllable  "on"  and  thus  formed  the  present  name.  The  present  name  was 
suggested  by  Capt.  E.  E.  Woodman,  late  secretary  of  the  Chicago,  St. 
Paul,  Minneapolis  and  Omaha  Railroad  Company. 

Grogan,  Watonwan  County,  Minnesota.  This  place  was  named  in  1890  for 
Matthew  J.  Grogan,  an  early  settler. 

Hadley,  Murray  County,  Minnesota,  was  named  by  L.  L.  Lucason  for  the  family 
name  of  one  of  his  relatives. 

Hallie,  Eau  Claire  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  the  nearby  Lake 
Hallie.  The  lake  was  named  for  Miss  Hallie  Sherman,  a  daughter  of 
Captain  A.  Sherman.  Hallie  Sherman  that  was,  is  now  Mrs.  Arthur 
Miller  of  Manitowoe,  Wis. 

Hammond,  St.  Croix  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  in  1856  by  and  for  R.  B. 
Hammond  of  Waukesha,  Wis.,  who  with  others,  formed  the  Mann,  Ham- 
mond Land  Company  and  bought  large  tracts  of  University  and  school 
lands  around  this  site. 

Hannibal,  Taylor  County,  Wisconsin,  was  located  and  named  in  1903  by  J.  T. 
Barber  from  his  old  home,  Hannibal,  Missouri.  The  city  in  Missouri  was 
named  for  the  Carthaginian  General. 

Hartford,  Minnehaha  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  in  1880  by  Edward 
Tilton  from  the  city  in  Connecticut. whence  he  had  emigrated. 

Hartington,  Cedar  County,  Nebraska,  was  named  by  and  for  a  "Lord" 
Hartington  of  England,  who  owns  the  unsold  part  of  the  town  and  much 
land  in  the  vicinity. 


178  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 

Hatch,  Chippewa  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  C.  P.  Hatch,  who  for  man/ 

years  was  a  railroad  officer  in  the  North  West. 
Haugen,   Barron    County,   Wisconsin,   was    named   by    and   for   N.    P.   Haugen, 

who   at   one   time   had   some   land   interests   here.     It   was  named   in   1886 

at  which  time  the  town  was  started. 
Hawthorne,  Douglas  County,  Wisconsin,  was  started  in  1885  and  was  named  by 

D.  E.  Eoberts  for  W.  B.  Hawthorne,  the  "operator"  of  the  first  logging 

camps  in  the  vicinity. 
Hayward,  Sawyer   County,  Wisconsin,   was  named   in   1881   by   and    for   A.   J. 

Hayward,  who  owned  a  sawmill  here  before  he  platted  the  town. 
Hazel  Park,  Ramsay  County,  Minnesota,  was  so  named  because  it  was  located 

in  the  midst  of  a   dense  Hazel    (Corylus  Americana)    shrubbery  or  "Chap- 

paral"   as  it  was   called.    Cliapparal  is   Spanish   and   is   properly   and   only 

applicable  to  a  grove  of  Oak  trees,  but  custom  has  allowed  it  to  be  applied 

to  any  dense  brushy  shrubbery. 
Henderson,  Le  Sueur  County,  Minnesota,  was  laid  out  and  named  in  1854  for 

his  brother  Henderson  Brown,  by  Joseph  R.  Brown  the  founder,  who  came 

to  Minnesota  in  1830  as  a  drummer  boy  in  the  United  States  Army- 
Herman,  Washington  County,  Nebraska.     This  town  was  started  in  1876,  and 

was  named  for  the  railroad  conductor  who  run  the  first  regular  passenger 

train  through  the  village. 
Heron  Lake,  Jackson  County,   Minnesota,  was  named  in   1870  from  a  nearby 

lake.     The  lake  was  named  by  the  United  States  surveyors,  who  surveyed 

the  land  in  the  vicinity,  from  the  large  number  of  "Great  Blue  Herons" 

(Ardea    Herodias),    that    frequented    the    lake    while    the    survey    was    being 

made. 
Hersey,  St.  Croix  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named   in  1876  by  and   for  Samuel 

F.  Hersey  of  the  lumber  firm  of  Hersey  and  Staples  of  Stillwater,  Minn. 
Hines,  Douglas  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  in  1902  for   Edward  Hines  of 

the   Edward   Hines   Lumber   Company,   large   operators   in   lumber  in   this 

vicinity.     Before   this  name   was   given    the   place,    it   was   called   Holmes 

for  a  former  lumber  dealer  here. 
Hinton,  Plymouth   County,  Iowa,  was  named  in   1875  from  the  city  of  Hinton 

in  Summers  County,  West  Virginia,  by  a  Mr.  Hinton  who  was  one  of  the 

earliest   settlers  here,   who   had    emigrated   from    Virginia.      The   Virginia 

city  was  also  named  by  and  for  Mr.  Hinton. 
Eolconibe,  Chippewa  County  Wisconsin.     This  place  was  started  in   1902  and 

was  named  for  a  friend  in  Milwaukee  by  W.  A.  Scott,  the  then  General 

Manager  of  the   railroad  that  passed  through   the  place. 
Home  Park,  Chippewa   County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from   the   hope  that  it 

would  become  the  center  of  homes  surrounded  by  a  park  of  native  trees 

of  the  place.     It  is  the  location  of  a  State  Insane  Asylum. 
Hope,  Madison  County,  Nebraska.     The  town  was  established  in  1894  and  was 

named  for  H.  C.  Hope,   Superintendent  of  Telegraph   of  the   Chicago,  St. 

Paul,  Minneapolis  and  Omaha  Railway. 
Hoskins,  Wayne  County,   Nebraska,  was  named  by  F.  H.  Peavey,  in  1882  for 

his  father-in  law. 
Hospers,  Sioux  County,  Iowa,  was  in  the  early  seventies  named  to  honor  Henry 

Uospers  of  Orange  City,  Iowa.     Mr.  Hospers  was  and  is  a  banker  and  a 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western   Line  171* 

large  owner  of  lands  in  the  county,  and  has  been  instrumental  in  attract- 
ing here  many  families  of  Hollanders,  not  only  direct  from  Holland,  but 
from  many  parts  of  the  United  States. 

Houghton,  Baj'field  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  Houghton  point,  a 
nearby  "point"  of  land,  running  into  Chequamegon  Bay.  The  point  wai 
named  for  Douglas  Houghton,  an  explorer,  and  formerly  the  Geologist 
of  the  State  of  Michigan. 

Hubbard,  Dakota  Count}-,  Nebraska,  was  named  by  and  for  Judge  Asahel  "W. 
Hubbard  of  the  District  Court,  Sioux  City,  Iowa,  and  Congressman  from 
the  Eleventh  District  of  Iowa.  He  was  one  of  the  promoters  in  building 
the  railroad  from  Sioux  City,  Iowa  to  Ponca,  Nebraska. 

Hudson,  St.  Croix  County,  Wisconsin.  This  place  was  called  Buena  Vista  from 
the  Mexican  battlefield;  earlier  it  was  called  Willow  River  from  the 
river  that  runs  into  the  St.  Croix  at  this  place.  In  1852,  the  county  board 
of  Supervisors  gave  it  its  present  name  from  the  City  of  Hudson,  New 
York;  that  was  named  for  Henry  Hudson,  the  navigator,  who  also  gave 
his  name  to  the  river  on  which  the  City  of  Hudson,  New  York  is  located. 

Humbird,  Clark  County,  Wisconsin.  This  town  was  started  in  1868  and  in 
1872  was  named  for  John  A.  Humbird,  one  of  the  builders  and  a  director 
of  the  railroad  that  runs  through  the  place. 

Humboldt,  Minnehaha  County,  South  Dakota.  This  town  was  named  in  1880 
from  the  township  it  is  in.  That  was  named  by  three  German  Bettlevs 
for  Alexander  Van  Humboldt,  the  traveller  and  author. 

Hughey,  Taylor  County,  Wisconsin.  This  name  merely  indicates  a  point 
that  is  shown  on  the  time  table  of  the  road.  The  name  has  no  historical 
significance. 

Hustler,  Juneau  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  in  1891  by  the  Postoffice  De- 
partment at  Washington,  D.  C.  The  citizens  of  the  village  could  not 
agree  on  a  name  that  was  satisfactory  to  the  postoffice  department,  and  in 
a  final  effort  sent  in  a  list  of  names,  any  one  of  which  would  be  accepted  by 
the  citizens.  Some  so  called  "practical  joker"  inserted  "Hustler"  at 
the  end  of  the  list,  and  that  was  selected  by  the  Department  and  became 
the  name  of  the  town  and  of  the  postoffice.  A  "Hustler"  (one  full  of 
energy  and  push)  is  what  the  citizens  expect  each  resident  to  become. 

Itasca,  Douglas  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  by  A.  W.  Trenholm,  an  officer 
of  the  Chicago,  St.  Paul,  Minneapolis  and  Omaha  Eailroad,  from  one  of 
the  streets  of  the  old  city  of  Superior.  The  street  was  named  for  an 
alleged  Indian  word  tut  that  was  coined  by  Schoolcraft,  and  was  based 
upon  the  Ojibway  word  to-to-sha,  a  ' '  woman  's  breast. ' ' 

Jackson,  Dakota  County,  Nebraska.  The  town  was  started  in  1860  and  named 
in  1861  for  Andrew  Jackson,  ex-President  of  the  United  States. 

James,  Plymouth  County,  Iowa,  was  named  as  a  station  on  the  Illinois  Central 
Eailroad  for  James  Blair  by  his  brother,  John  I.  Blair,  of  Blairstown,  New 
Jersey. 

Jeffera,  Cottonwood  County,  Minnesota.  The  town  was  started  in  181)9  and 
was  named  for  George  Jeffers  from  whom  the  land  for  the  town  site 
was  bought. 

Jim  Falls,  Chippewa  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  the  falls  in  th«> 
Chippewa  Elver  that  runs  through  this  place.  The  falls  were  named  for 
"Jim"  Ermatinger,  the  pioneer  settler  in   this  part  of  the  country.     The 


180  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 

Indians  called  the  falls  by  a  word  we  translate  as  Vermillion,  from 
the  red  color  of  the  water.  The  water  was  colored  by  the  dyes  coming 
out  of  the  bark  and  roots  of  trees  that  encumbered  it,  before  it  was  cleared 
out  by  lumbermen. 

Jordan,  Scott  County,  Minnesota,  was  named  in  1852  by  William  Holmes  from 
the  Kiver  Jordan  in  Palestine.  The  name  was  given  at  the  end  of  a 
somewhat  angry  and  prolonged  discussion  amongst  the  citizens  as  to  what 
the  name  should  be. 

Karota,  Le  Sueur  County,  Minnesota,  was  named  from  an  adjoining  prairie, 
which  was  named  from  an  Indian  word  meaning  "cleared,  "cleared  up," 
or  "sky  clear  of  clouds."     The  town  was  platted  by  A.  P.  Buell  in  1853. 

Kempton,  Eau  Claire  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  a  popular  passenger 
train  conductor,  William   ("Bill")   Kempt. 

Knapp,  Dunn  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  John  H.  Knapp,  senior  member 
of  the  lumbering  firm  of  Knapp,  Stout  and  Company  of  Menominee,  Wis., 
who  has  been  lumbering  in  this  vicinity  for  over  thirty-six  years.  (1907.) 

Koll,  Chippewa  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  C.  J.  Koll,  formerly  train 
despatcher  of  the  railroad  that  runs  through  this  place. 

Kurth,  Clark  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  Eobert  Kurth  a  grain  dealer  of 
the  place  when  the  village  was  established. 

Lake  Crystal,  Blue  Earth  County,  Minnesota,  was  named  in  1869  by  General 
J.  W.  Bishop  of  St.  Paul,  Minnesota,  from  a  nearby  lake.  The  lake  was 
named  by  John  C.  Fremont  and  J.  N.  Nicollet,  who  explored  the  country 
around  it  in  1838-9  because  of  the  unusual  brilliancy  and  crystal  purity  of 
its  waters. 

Lake  Elmo,  Washington  County,  Minnesota,  was  named  by  A.  B.  Stickney, 
now  of  St.  Paul,  Minn.,,  from  a  nearby  lake,  that  had  been  named  from 
the  novel  "St.  Elmo."  The  town  was  formerly  called  Oakdale  from  the 
many  Black  Oak  (Quercus  nigra)  trees  that  grow  hereabouts.  It  is  not 
known  where  the  novelist  found  the  name  for  her  book,  but  it  is  sup- 
posed she  "evolved  it  out  of  the  depth  of  her  own  consciousness."  She 
did  not  get  it  from  that  corposant  known  as  "St.  Elmo's  fire,"  which 
was  named  for  St.  Elmo,  the  patron  saint  of  navigators. 

Lakeland  Junction,  Washington  County  Minnesota,  was  so  named  because  it 
was  at  a  junction  of  a  branch  railroad  near  the  shores  of  a  lake. 

Lakeside,  Washburn  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  its  location  near  tha 
lake  shore. 

Lake  Wilson,  Murray  County,  Minnesota,  was  located  in  1883  and  was  named 
by  and  for  J.  E.  Wilson,  formerly  of  Chicago,  Illinois,  who  also  named  the 
nearby  lake  for  himself.  He  owned  at  one  time  seventeen  thousand  acres 
of  land  in  this  vicinity. 

Lakewood,  Lyon  County,  Iowa,  was  named  from  a  nearby  small  lake  or  pond 
that  existed  in  a  "wood"  or  small  forest.  This  name  was  given  it  in 
1901.  Previous  to  this  the  place  was  called  Lunt's  for  W.  H.  Lunt,  who 
built  the  first  grain  elevator  at  this  point. 

Lampson,  Washburn  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  by  W.  C.  Winter,  who, 
when  he  named  the  place,  was  General  Superintendent  of  the  Chicago,  St 
Paul,  Minneapolis  and  Omaha  Railroad.  The  place  was  named  for  J.  T. 
and  F.  L.  Lampson,  who  established  a  large  general  store  here. 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line  181 

Laurel,  Cedar  County,  Nebraska.     The  original  name  of  this  place  was  Clare- 
mont,  but  the  name  was  changed  on  the  solicitation  of  W.  M.  Martin,  who 
named  it  for  his  wife,  Laura. 
Lawrence,  Scott  County,  Minnesota.    The  place  was  in  1860  called  St.  Lawrence 
for  John  Lawrence,  an  early  settler.     In  1901  the  "St."  was  dropped  and 
the  present  name  adopted. 
Le  Mars,  Plymouth  County,  Iowa.     The  town  was  platted  in  1869  and  made  the 
county  seat  in  1872.     The  first  railroad  that  reached  this  point  from  any 
direction,  was  built  eastward  from  Sioux   City  and   was  the  west   end   of 
what  was  then  known  as  the  Iowa  Falls   and   Sioux   City   Railroad   (now 
a  portion  of  the  Illinois  Central  Railway  lines  in  Iowa).     It  was  built  by 
John  I.  Blair  of  Blairstown,  New  Jersey,  and   his  associates.     When  the 
road  was  completed  to  this  point,  Mr.  Blair  opened  it  with  an  excursion. 
Amongst  his  guests  were  several  women  from   Cedars  Rapids,   Iowa.     On 
arriving  here,  Mr.  Blair  was  asked  what  was  to  be  the  name  of  the  sta- 
tion.    He  replied  that  none   had  been   selected.     He   then  suggested   thnt 
the   Cedar  Rapids   women   should   select   the  name.      As   might   have   been 
expected,  each  one  had  a  name  that  she  insisted  was  the  best.     Not  being 
able  to  agree,  some  one  suggested  that  a  name  be  made  by  taking  an  initial 
from  the  given  (Christian)  names  of  each  of  the  women.     This  was  done 
and  it  was  found  that  two  very  good  names  could  be  made  out  of  these 
initials,   viz:     "Selmar"   and   "Lemars. "     By   vote,   the   women   adopted 
"Le  Mars"  and  Mr.  Blair  so  named  the  town.    As  nearly  forty  years  have 
passed  since  the  name  was  made,  it  is  impossible  to  be  positive  as  to  the 
women  whose  names  were  used,  but  it  is  known  to  be  true  that  the  initials 
used  were  as  follows:     The  "L"  was  taken  from  the  L  in  the  name  of 
Laura   (wife  of  Judge  W.  W.)   Walker,  or  in  that  of  Lucy   (Mrs.  Judge) 
Ford.     The  "E"  was  taken  from  the  E  in  the  name  of  Ellen  (Mrs.  Johnl 
Cleghorn,  or  in  that  of  Elizabeth  (Mrs.)  Underhill.     The  "M"  was  taken 
from  the  M  in  the  name  of  Martha  (Mrs.  John)  Weare,  or  in  that  of  Marv 
(Mrs.  George)  Weare.     The  "A"  was  taken  from  the  A  in  the  name  of 
Mrs.  Adeline  M.  Swain.     The  "R"  was  taken  from  the  R  in  the  name  of 
Rebecca  (wife  of  Dr.  W.  R.)   Smith.     The  "S"  was  taken  from  the  S  in 
the  name  of  Sarah   (wife  of  Dr.)  Reynolds.     Many  a  local  controversy  has 
obtained  as  to  the  question  and  it  still  prevails  and  not  seldom  the  news- 
papers publish  letters  intended   to   settle   it,  but   it  does  not   get   settled. 
We  believe  the  above  are  the  facts  as  near  as  they  will  be  established. 

Leonard,  Bayfield  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  F.  C.  Leonard  of  Eau 
Claire,  Wis.,  who  had  extensive  logging  and  lumber  interests  in  the  vicinity 
of  this  town. 

I*«  Sueur,  Le  Sueur  County,  Minnesota,  was  named  in  1853  at  a  meeting  of  the 
citizens  living  there,  in  honor  of  Pierre  Charles  Le  Sueur,  a  French  ex- 
plorer, who  was  in  this  part  of  what  is  now  Minnesota  in  1683  to  1722. 
Le  Sueur  built  a  fort  and  had  a  trading  post  in  1720  at  the  mouth  of  Blue 
river  where  it  enters  the  St.  Peter's  river.  After  Le  Sueur's  departure  from 
this  point  French  traders  had  posts  here  and  called  the  place  Prairie  la 
fieclce.  The  words  "la  flecke"  mean  "the  arrow."  If  that  gave  the 
name  to  the  place,  or  if  La  Flecke  was  a  person,  and  gave  his  name  to  the 
place  is  not  known.  Authorities  are  inclined  to  think  the  arrow  gave  the 
name,   for  had  it  come  from  a  person,  the  name  would  probably  have  been 


182  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 

Prairie  Au  Fleehe.  The  Indian  name  for  this  place  was  Wa-hin-oge  meaning 
"Flint  quarry,"  where  flint  arrow  heads  were  made.  This  helps  to  prove 
the  derivation  was  from  the  French  for  arrow. 

Lewisville,  Watonwan  County,  Minnesota,  was  named  by  the  Inter-State  Land 
Company  of  Minneapolis,  Minnesota,  that  owned  the  town  site,  for  the 
Lewis  family  of  that  city,  as  they  were  large  holders  of  the  stock  of  the 
land  company. 

Lime  Creek,  Murray  County,  Minnesota,  was  established  in  1885  and  was  named 
from  the  nearby  creek.  The  creek  was  named  by  the  early  settlers  living 
along  its  course,  from  the  limestone  which  underlaid  its  waters. 

Lindeman,  Trempeleau  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  James  L.  Liuder- 
man,  a  prominent  German  of  Sparta,  Wisconsin,  who  started  the  first  bank 
and  mills  in  the  village. 

Luverne,  Rock  County,  Minnesota,  was  started  in  1872  and  was  named  by 
Philo  llawes  an  early  settler,  for  his  daughter  Luverne  Hawes. 

Lyons,  Burt  County,  Nebraska.  This  town  was  named  by  Waldo  Lyons  for  him- 
self in  1880.  Waldo  Lyons  was  a  strenuous  advocate  of  total  abstinence, 
and  when  the  town  was  named  he  insisted  that  no  saloon  or  other  place  for 
the  public  sale  of  alcoholic  liquors  should  ever  be  permitted  in  the  place. 
All   the  deeds  for  lots  in  the  place  contain  this  prohibition. 

Medelia,  W'atonwan  County,  Minnesota,  was  started  in  1857  and  was  named  by 
General  M.  Hartshorn  for  his  daughter  Medelia.  This  naming  was  the 
settlement  of  a  dispute  as  to  what  name  the  place  should  have.  The  name 
is  an  elision   and  reconstruction  of  the  name  Madeleine. 

Magnet,  Cedar  County,  Nebraska,  was  started  in  1893  and  named  by  B.  E. 
Smith  the  owner  of  the  town  site,  from  the  Magnet  (lodestone)  thinking 
the  name  would  draw  (attract)  people  there,  as  the  magnet  attracts  iron. 

Magnolia,  Rock  County,  Minnesota,  was  named  from  the  township  it  is  in. 
The  township  was  named  by  Philo  Hawes  the  first  settler  in  the  county, 
from  Magnolia,  his  old  home  in  Rock  County,  Wis.  That  place  was  named 
directly  or  indirectly  for  Dr.  Pierre  Magnol,  for  whom  a  species  of  the 
Magnolia  tree  was  named. 

Mankato,  Blue  Earth  County,  Minnesota.  This  place  was  named  by  a  Mrs. 
Hinkley  an  early  settler  here,  who  spoke  the  Sioux  Indian  language.  The 
word  is  Sioux  Indian  and  means  "blue"  or  probably  more  properly 
"green  earth."  The  proper  spelling  of  the  word  seems  to  have  been 
Mah-lcato  and  was  by  the  Indians  applied  to  the  river  beeause  of  the 
bluish  or  greenish  cast  of  its  waters.  This  color  came  from  copper  ore* 
that  were  and  are  in  the  soil  along  the  river. 

Maskell,  Dixon  County,  Nebraska,  was  named  for  John  Maskell  who  "home- 
steaded"  the  land  on  which  it  is  located  during  the  War  of  the  Re- 
belli.n,  and  it  has  been  the  home  of  the  family  ever  since.  The  name  was 
srggested  by  T.  N.  Jones  of  St.  James,  Neb.,  as  he  wished  to  honor  the 
memory  of  Mr.  Maskell. 

Marston,  Bayfield  County,  Wisconsin.  This  name  merely  indicates  a  point  that 
is  shown  on  the  time  table  of  the  road.  The  name  has  no  historical 
significance. 

Marshfield,  Wood  County,  Wisconsin.  This  place  was  named  by  John  J.  Marsh 
of  Haverhill,  Massachusetts  for  his  uncle,  Samuel  Marsh.  The  land  on 
which  the  town  is  located,  was  part  of  the  lands  granted  by  the  United 


History  ok  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western-  Link  JK:> 


States  to   tbe   Fox   River   Improvement   Company   for   the  purpose   of   es 
tablishing    a    waterway   between    Green    Ray    and    the    Mississippi    River. 
Horatio   Seymour,   A.   B.  Cornell,   Eraetus   Corning,   Wra.   Allen   Butler,   all 
of  New  York  State  and  Samuel  Marsh  of  Massachusetts,  were  among  tha 
original  owners  of  the  place.     The  legend  that  this  place  was  namod  from 
Marshiield,  the  home  of  Daniel  Webster  in  Massachusetts  is  a  myth  propa 
gated  in  very  recent  years.     We  are  indebted  to  Hon.  W.  H.  Upham,  ex 
Governor  of  Wisconsin  for  the  facts  in  this  case.     The  Governor  has  been 
nearly  a  life  long  resident,  and   the  most  prominent  business   man   of  tho 
place. 

Mason,  Bayfield  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  by  John  A.  Hunibird,  the  owner 
of  the  town  site,  for  the  Free  Masons,  because  a  friend  of  his  was  a  very 
enthusiastic   Mason. 

Mendota,  Dakota  County,  Minnesota.  This  is  the  oldest  town  in  the  State, 
having  been  started  in  1830.  The  name  is  an  Indian  word  meaning  in  one 
language  "the  junction  of  two  trails,''  and  in  the  Sioux  tongue  "the 
mouth  of  a  river."  As  the  Dakota  (Sioux)  Indians  frequented  these 
parts,  it  is  believed  that  their  meaning  of  the  word  should  apply,  as  here 
the  Minnesota  (St.  Peter)  River  enters  the  Mississippi.  As  early  as  1835, 
General  H.  H.  Sibley  had  an  Indian  trading  post  here  and  in  1837,  erected 
a  stone  dwelling  house  that  still  stands  and  is  in  good  preservation.  Nearby 
is  Fort  Snelling.  This  United  States  Fort  was  built  by  Colonel  Josiah 
Snelling  in  1S20-3  and  was  named  Fort  Anthony  from  the  falls  of  that 
name.  In  1824  the  name  was  formally  changed  by  the  United  States  Sec- 
retary of  War,  and  was  named  for  the  above  named  Colonel  Suelling. 

Menomonie,  Dunn  County,  Wisconsin,  was  earned  by  Captain  William  Wilson 
in  1846  for  the  Indian  tribe.  The  word  having  reference  to  wild  rico 
(Zizaiiiti  U(^v.atica)  which  formerly  grew  throughout  the  country  the 
Menomouee  tribe  of  Indians  ranged  over.  These  Indians  lived  a  large 
part  of  the  year  on  this  wild  rice.  The  French  called  them  "The  Rice 
Eaters." 

Menominee  Junction,  Dunn  County,  Wisconsin,  was  so  named  because  of  it3 
relation  to  the  city  of  this  name.  It  is  a  mere  junction  between  the  main 
line  and  a  branch  of  the  railroad. 

Merriam,  Scott  County,  Minnesota,  was  started  in  1875  and  named  by  General 
Judson  W.  Bishop  of  St.  Paul,  Minnesota  for  Governor  John  L.  Merriam 
of  Minnesota. 

Merrill,  Plymouth  County,  Iowa,  was  named  in  1872  in  honor  of  Samuel  Mer 
rill,  Governor  of  Iowa,  1868-70. 

Merrillan,  Jackson  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  by  and  for  L.  G.  Merrill, 
who  owned  property  here  when  the  town  was  platted  aud  named. 

Miloma,  Jackson  County,  Minnesota.  The  original  name  of  this  place  was 
Prairie  Junction  and  was  given  it,  because  it  was  a  junction  on  th» 
prairie,  between  the  main  line  and  a  branch.  The  present  name  was 
made  up  by  taking  the  first  three  letters  "Mil"  from  the  word  Milwaukee 
of  the  Chicago,  Milwaukee  and  St.  Paul  Railroad  and  the  first  three 
letters  "oma"  of  the  word  Omaha  (from  the  title  of  the  Chicago,  St. 
Paul,  Minneapolis  and  Omaha  Railroad)  and  uniting  them.  Both  railroads 
contribute  to  the  prosperity  of  this  place  and  were  intended  to  be  honored 
by  making  this  name. 


184  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 

Midvale,  Washington  County,  Minnesota,  was  named  by  E.  W.  Winter,  then 
General  Manager  of  the  Chicago,  St.  Paul,  Minneapolis  and  Omaha  Rail- 
road, because  it  was  about  midway  between  Hudson,  Wisconsin  and  St. 
Paul,  Minnesota  and  was  situated  in  a  "vale"  or  "valley." 

Millston,  Jackson  County,  Wisconsin,  was  started  in  1870  and  was  named  by 
and  for  H.  B.  Mills. 

Mines,  Pierce  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  nearby  iron  ore  mines. 

Minneapolis,  Hennepin  County,  Minnesota.  This  name  is  a  combination  of 
the  Indian  word  minni  water  and  the  Greek  polis,  meaning  city. 
The  first  house  was  built  here  in  1849.  The  town  was  incorporated  In 
1867.  St.  Anthony,  a  very  old  town  on  the  east  bank  of  the  river  and 
directly  at  the  Falls  of  St.  Anthony,  was  incorporated  in  1856  and  merged 
with  Minneapolis  in  1872.  St.  Anthony  city  was  named  from  the  Falls, 
and  the  falls  were  named  by  the  early  French  missionaries  and  explorers 
for  St.  Anthony  of  Padua.  The  falls  were  first  seen  by  these  missionaries 
on  St.  Anthony's  day. 

Minnesota  Transfer,  Ramsay  County,  Minnesota.  It  is  an  important  freight 
transfer  point,  but  the  name  has  no  historical  significance. 

Minneopa,  Blue  Earth  County,  Minnesota.  The  place  was  started  in  1876  and 
was  named  from  the  falls  nearby  in  the  Minneopa  River.  The  name  is  a 
contraction  of  the  Dakota  (Sioux)  Indian  name  min-ne-hin-opa,  which 
means  "follows  the  water,"  or  "two  waters  fall,"  or  "two  water  falls." 
This  name  for  euphony,  was  contracted  to  the  form  given  to  the  village. 
The  state  of  Minnesota  recently  purchased  the  land  around  these  falls  and 
has    converted    it   into    the   "Minneopa   Falls   State   Park." 

Minong,  Washburn  County,  Wisconsin,  was  started  in  1888  and  named  by 
Joshia  Bond.  The  name  minong  is  said  to  be  Indian  name  for  blue  ber- 
ries, huckleberries,  whortleberries,  i.  e.  V actinium  corymoosam, 

Mitchell,  Davison  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  by  J.  D.  Lawler  of  Prairie 
du  Chien,  Wisconsin,  for  Alexander  Mitchell,  then  president  of  the  Chicago, 
Milwaukee  and  St.  Paul  Railway. 

Mondovi,  Buffalo  County,  Wisconsin,  was  started  in  1855  and  was  named  by 
Elihu  B.  Gifferd,  from  Mondovi,  in  Italy,  one  of  the  battlefields  of  Napoleon 
the  First. 

Montrose,  McCook  County,  South  Dakota.  This  town  was  started  in  1880  and 
named  by  R.  F.  Petigrew  of  Sioux  Falls,  South  Dakota,  from  Sir  Walter 
Scott's  "Legend  of  Montrose." 

Mountain  Lake,  Cottonwood  County,  Minnesota,  was  named  by  A.  A.  Soule  once 
of  the  state  of  Maine,  in  1870,  from  his  farm.  When  first  named  he  called 
it  "Twin  Mountain  Lake,"  and  when  asked  why  this  name,  he  replied., 
"because  there  is  neither  mountain  nor  lake  within  a  hundred  miles." 
When  he  discovered  the  nearby  lake,  he  found  an  elevation  on  a  small 
island  in  the  land,  and  changed  the  name  of  his  farm  to  the  present  form, 
and  the  name  of  the  village  followed  that. 

Nacora,  Dakota  County,  Nebraska.  This  is  a  name  coined  from  the  Spanish 
word  nacio,  meaning  "I  am  born." 

Narrows,  Washburn  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  a  stream  connecting 
Balsam  and  Cedar  Lakes. 

Neillsville,  Clark  County,  Wisconsin.  This  place  was  started  in  1856  and  was 
named  by  and  for  Judge  James  O'Neill,  a  pioneer  in  this  place. 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western*  Line  !^:' 

New  Auburn,  Chippewa  County,  Wisconsin.  Originally  in  1878,  this  place  was 
called  Cartwright,  for  D.  W.  Cartwright,  the  pioneer.  He  was  a  hunter, 
trapper,  etc.,  etc.,  and  wrote  "Western  Wild  Animals,"  which  had  con- 
siderable reputation  at  one  time.  The  name  was  then  changed  to  Auburn 
to  correspond  with  the  name  of  the  township  that  it  is  in.  In  1904  the  word 
"New"  was  added,  but  the  reasons  therefor,  seem  to  have  been  lost.  The 
"Auburn"  came  from  Goldsmith's  "Deserted  Village,"  through  Auburn, 
Cayuga  County,  New  York. 

New  Castle,  Dixon  County,  Nebraska,  was  started  in  1878  and  was  named  by 
Gnstavus  Smith  because  as  is  asserted  in  the  place,  he  had  just  built  a  house 
which  he  called  his  "new  castle."  The  compiler  of  this  record  believes 
this  to  be  fiction,  and  has  reason  to  believe  the  place  was  named  from 
New  Castle,  Lawrence  County,  Pennsylvania,  as  Mr.  Smith  emigrated  from 
that  place.  New  Castle  in  Pennsylvania  was  named  from  the  town  in 
England  that  gave  title  to  the  Dukes  of  Newcastle. 

New  Richmmond,  St.  Croix  County,  Wisconsin.  This  place  was  established 
in  1850  and  bore  the  names  of  Foster's  Crossing,  Gridley  and  Fremont 
respectively  at  various  times  down  to  1862,  when  by  Henry  Russell  and 
John  McGregor  the  name  was  finally  fixed  in  its  present  form.  It  was 
named  for  Richmond  Day,  one  of  the  original  founders  of  the  ulace. 

Nicols,  Dakota  County,  Minnesota.  This  place  was  named  more  than  forty 
years  ago  for  John  Nicols,  who  was  a  prominent  citizen  of  St.  Paul,  Min- 
nesota, and  who  owned  in  1865,  a  farm  near  this  town  site.  Mr.  Nicols 
was  the  founder  of  the  hardware  firm  of  Nicols,  Dean  and  Gregg,  of  St. 
Paul,  Minnesota. 

Norfolk,  Madison  County,  Nebraska,  was  started  in  1869  and  was  named  by 
ex-Governor  General  John  M.  Thayer  from  Norfolk,  Mass.  A  local  legend 
made  the  name  come  from  the  north  fork  of  the  Elkhorn  River,  but  so  far 
as  can  now  be  learned,  this  is  a  legend  without  any  fact  behind  it. 

Norma,  Chippewa  County,  Wisconsin.  Was  named  for  the  name  referred  to 
in  a  popular  opera — "Hear  me,  Norma,  etc." 

Northrop,  Martin  County,  Minnesota.  Was  started  in  1899  and  was  named  by 
the  Inter-State  Land  Company  that  owned  the  site,  for  President  Cyrus 
Northrop,  of  the  Minnesota  State  University. 

North  Line,  St.  Croix  County,  Wisconsin.  Was  so  named  because  at  this  point 
on  the  main  line  of  the  railroad,  a  branch  line  (since  grown  into  a  main 
line)  started  into  the  thinly  settled  parts  of  northern  Wisconsin.  The 
original  name  was  North  Wisconsin  Junction.  The  change  of  name  was 
made  in  1906  by  J.  T.  Clark,  second  vice-president  of  the  Chicago,  St.  Paul, 
Minneapolis  and  Omaha  Railroad. 

Oaches,  Washburn  County,  Wisconsin.  This  name  merely  indicates  a  point  that 
is  shown  on  the  time-table  of  the  road.  The  name  has  no  historical  sig- 
nificance. 

Oakdale,  Washington  County,  Minnesota,  was  so  named  because  when  estab- 
lished, the  location  was  adjacent  to  a  grove  of  oak  trees  in  a  little  valley 
or  "dale." 

Oakland,  Burt  County,  Nebraska,  was  started  in  1865  and  on  the  suggestion  of 
James  Arkwig  a  citizen  of  the  village,  was  named  for  John  Oak,  who  was 
the  first  permanent  settler  in  the  place. 


18(5  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 

Omaha,  Douglas  County,  Nebraska.  Omaha  is  an  Indian  word,  meaning  "up 
stream."  It  is  the  name  of  an  Indian  tribe,  who  by  other  tribes  were  called 
Omaha — "up  stream  people."  In  Lewis  and  Clark's  Journal,  this  tribe  was 
called  Utah-has.  The  application  of  this  name  to  the  city  was  made  on  the 
suggestion  of  Jesse  Love,  a  man  well  read  in  the  history  of  the  Indians. 

Org,  Nobles  County,  Minnesota.  This  place  was  originally  called  Iselin  and  was 
named  for  Adrian  C.  Iselin,  a  banker  of  New  York  City  who  owned  much 
land  in  this  vicinity.  It  was  then  named  "Sioux  Falls  Junction,"  and 
was  so  called,  because  at  this  point  a  branch  railroad  left  the  main  line 
for  the  city  of  Sioux  Falls.  In  1S90  the  name  was  changed  to  Org  by  W. 
A.  Scott,  the  then  general  manager  of  the  railroad.  No  one  now  living 
knows  why  he  so  named  the  place,  where  he  got  the  name,  or  what  it  means, 
if  it  means  anything.  A  legend  connects  it  with  "Org"  (Dorg)  bad  slang 
for  the  word,  dog. 

Osseo,  Trempeleau  County,  Wisconsin.  The  town  was  started  in  1856  and  was 
named  by  Robert  C.  Field,  one  legend  says,  from  the  Spanish  word  oso, 
meaning  "bear,"  while  another  says  it  came  irom  an  Indian  word  ossi, 
meaning  "stone,"  or  "stony  place,"  or  "stone  on  stone,"  or  having 
relation  to  "river'-*  and  "stone."  The  name  is  used  by  Longfellow  i.i 
his  "Song  of  Hiawatha."  He  called  Osseo  the  "son  of  the  Evening  Star," 
and  has  him  apparently  when  a  very  old  man,  turned  into  a  very  handsome 
and  attractive  young  man.  Where  Longfellow  got  the  name  is  not  now 
known. 

Ottawa,  Le  Sueur  County  Minnesota.  This  is  one  of  the  oldest  towns  in  the 
state,  as  it  was  started  in  1854.  It  was  named  for  the  Indian  tribe.  With- 
out definite  and  certain  proof,  the  word  is  said  to  mean  "far  away," 
"away  from  any  other  place."  E.  M.  Haines  in  his  "American  Indian" 
says  the  word  means  "traders."  The  fact  seems  to  be,  that  the  word 
means  one  thing  in  one  Indian  languge  and  something  entirely  different  in 
another.  It  is  not  at  all  unlikely  that  the  word  has  other  meanings  than 
the  above. 

Pender,  Thurston  County,  Nebraska.  This  place  was  started  in  1885  and  was 
named  by  W.  E.  Peebles,  the  founder,  for  a  Lord  Pender  of  England,  who 
owned  much  land  in  the  vicinity. 

Pennocks,  Clark  County,  Wisconsin.  This  name  merely  indicates  a  point  that 
is  shown  ou  the  time-table  of  the  road.  The  name  has  no  historical  sig- 
nificance. 

Perley,  Barron  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  Perley  Lowe,  a  well  known 
lumber  dealer  of  Chicago,  who  had  large  property  interests  here. 

Perth,  Blue  Earth  County,  Minnesota,  was  named  in  1905  from  the  city  in 
Scotland.  Previous  to  this,  the  place  was  called  Iceland,  from  the  fact 
that  a  number  of  Danes  had  emigrated  from  Iceland  to  this  vicinity.  They 
settled  around  this  place  and  are  now  prosperous  and  contented  farmers. 

Peterson,  Bayfield  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  B.  E.  Peterson,  who 
owned  large  timber  interests  around  this  place  and  who  shipped  his  product 
from  this  town. 

Phipps,  Sawyer  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  W.  H.  Phipps,  for  a  long 
time  land  commissioner  of  the  Chicago,  St.  Paul  Minneapolis  and  Omaha 
Railroad. 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line  187 

Pike,  Bayfield  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  Captain  R.  D.  Pike,  of  Bay- 
field, Wisconsin,  who  had  property  interests  here. 

Pipestone,  Pipestone  County,  Minnesota.  This  place  wag  started  and  platted  in 
1876  by  C.  II.  Bennett  and  Daniel  E.  Sweet,  and  was  named  by  them  for  the 
Indian,  Great  Bed  Pipestone  Quarries,  that  are  mentioned  by  Longfellow 
in  his  "Hiawatha,"  and  that  are  quite  close  to  this  city.  These  quarries 
were  visited  by  Catlin  in  1836  and  by  Fremont  in  1838-9  and  were  described 
by  them.  Jean  Nicholas  Nicollet,  the  French  explorer  and  map  maker,  also 
visited  and  mapped  these  quarries  in  1838-9.  The  land  surrounding  the 
quarries  is  now  an  Indian  reservation,  and  on  it  is  a  large  United  States 
Indian  Training  School. 

Ponca,  Dixon  County,  Nebraska.  This  town  was  established  in  1854  and  was 
named  from  the  Ponca  tribe  of  Indians  who  had  a  reservation  nearby. 
The  word  means  "medicine." 

Prentice,  Bayfield  County,  Wisconsin.  This  name  merely  indicates  a  point 
that  is  shown  on  the  time-table  of  the  road.  The  name  has  no  historical 
significance. 

Price,  Jackson  County,  Wisconsin.  Was  named  for  State  Senator  William  (Bill) 
T.  Price,  of  Black  River  Falls,  Wisconsin,  who  had  large  property  interests 
there. 

Requa,  Jackson  County,  Wisconsin.  When  this  town  was  platted,  it  was  named 
Hanson,  for  the  owner  of  a  farm  in  the  neighborhood.  It  was  then  changed 
to  Garfield  to  honor  the  name  of  President  James  A.  Garfield.  It  ultimately 
was  named  Requa.  This  name  (or  as  it  was  originally  spelled  Re-que)  is 
taken  from  a  cluster  of  farms  in  Norway,  where  the  parents  of  the  Pastor 
St.  S.  Reque  of  the  church  of  Spring  Grove,  Minnesota  and  of  many 
persons  who  are  settled  around  the  village  of  Requa,  lived  in  Norway. 
The  meaning  of  the  old  Norse  word  (Rockvin)  is  "path  meadow"  "rok" 
"rach,"  "raak,"  means  "a  path,"  and  "vin"  or  "wen"  or  "veen" 
means  meadow.  Hence  a  "meadow  with  a  path  running  through"  would 
be  the  literal  meaning  of  the  word  as  spoken  in  the  old  Norse  tongue. 
In  course  of  time  after  Denmark  had  forced  its  language  upon  Norway, 
the  word  was  spoken  as  if  spelled  Requa  and  hence  the  present  name.  The 
residents,  on  one  at  least  of  these  farms,  is  known  as  Siur  Requa  or  Reque 
and  his  father  was  known  as  Styrk  Reque,  while  still  an  older  one  was  cal- 
led Nils  Reque,  so  that  it  would  seem  that  the  present  name  was  finally 
fixed  to  the  soil  in  Norway.  ' 

Radisson,  Sawyer  County,  Wisconsin.  This  place  was  named  on  the  suggestion 
of  Captain  E.  E.  Woodman,  ex-secretary  of  the  Chicago,  St.  Paul,  Min- 
neapolis and  Omaha  Railroad,  for  Pierre  Esprit  Radisson.  In  this  way. 
Captain  Woodman  has  helped  to  save  from  almost  oblivion,  the  name  of 
a  French  traveller  who  preceeded  Fathers  Jacques  Marquette,  Joliet  and 
others,  in  exploring,  not  only  the  country  that  now  forms  the  state  of 
Wisconsin,  but  a  large  portion  of  the  northwestern  country.  Pierre  Esprit 
Radisson  was  born  in  St.  Malo,  Brittany,  France  and  arrived  in  New 
France  (Canada)  in  1651,  a  mere  youth.  In  1652,  he  was  captured  by  the 
Iroquois  Indians,  but  escaped  from  them  and  got  back  to  the  French 
settlements.  In  his  "Relations,"  he  calls  this  his  "first  voyage."  Meet- 
ing another  Frenchman,  who  was  named  Medard  Chouart  des  Grosielliera, 
and  who  claimed  to  have  been  as  far  west  as  Lake  Superior  in  1645,  Rad- 


188  History  op  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 

isson  arranged  to  have  Grosielliers  accompany  him  on  his  projected  explor- 
ations. Grosiellers  was  considerably  older  than  Eadisson.  His  native 
place  in  France  is  not  known,  but  it  is  supposed  to  have  been  near  Meaux. 
He,  by  missionaries  and  others,  was  called  "Chouart"  and  "Grosielliers" 
indifferently  and  this  fact  has  led  to  much  confusion  and  has  also  led  many 
to  believe  that  Eadisson  had  two  companions  in  place  of  only  one.  Grosiel- 
liers spoke  the  language  of  the  "Huron"  Indians  and  that  of  some,  if  not 
all  of  the  Algonquin  tribes,  which  rendered  him  invaluable  to  Eadisson, 
who  at  this  time  only  spoke — and  that  indifferently — some  of  the  Iroquois 
dialects.  These  two  men  were  the  most  daring  explorers  who  ever  pene- 
trated the  western  wilderness  in  the  seventeenth  century.  In  what  was  the 
first  real  exploration,  for  we  should  not  consider  his  adventure  that  ended 
with  his  capture  by  the  Iroquois,  as  a  voyage,  though  he  called  it  such — 
Eadisson  accompanied  by  Grosielliers  went  to  the  head  waters  of  the  Mis- 
sissippi Eiver  and  explored  it  for  a  great  distance,  and  he  asserts  he  went 
south  so  far  that  he  reached  a  country  where  snow  and  frost  were  nearly 
or  quite  unknown.  This  was  years  before  the  journeys  of  Marquette  and 
Joliet.  The  next  trip  took  them  to  the  south  shore  of  Lake  Superior  and 
west  to  the  territory  inhabited  by  the  Sioux  Indians,  and  into  northern 
Minnesota,  and  it  is  believed  as  far  north  as  Hudson's  Bay.  The  route 
taken  by  these  explorers  from  Montreal  is  not  certain,  but  it  appears  to 
have  been  up  the  Ottawa  Eiver  to  Lake  Nipissing  and  down  the  French 
Eiver  to  Lake  Huron,  the  same  route  Jean  Nicollet  followed  when  he 
visited  Wisconsin.  (This  was  not  Jean  N.  Niccolett,  who  explored  with  John 
C.  Fremont,  but  was  a  Frenchman  who  was  here  in  the  seventeenth  century.) 
They  certainly  visited  the  Pottawattomie  Indians  and  spent  a  winter  with 
them,  probably  at  or  near  Green  Bay  (the  Bay  and  not  the  site  of  the  pres- 
ent city  of  that  name).  They  visited  the  Fox  Eiver  country  and  met 
the  Mascoutin  or  "Fire"  Indians,  who  dwelt  on  this  river.  Father 
Allouez  found  these  Indians  when  he  founded  in  1670  the  first  mission 
for  Indians  in  Wisconsin,  near  what  is  now  Berlin,  Wisconsin.  Eadisson 
and  Grosielliers  spent  the  next  winter  on  the  shore  of  Lake  Superior, 
probably  somewhere  between  Sault  Ste.  Marie  and  the  "Pictured 
Eocks"  and  quite  possibly  on  "White  Fish  Bay,"  as  he  says  he  saw 
and  described  the  Grand  Portal  at  the  "Pictured  Eocks"  (near  what  now 
is  the  town  of  Munising)  and  named  it  for  St.  Peter.  They  visited  the 
Huron  Isles,  Keweenaw  Bay  and  the  Montreal  Eiver,  that  forms  a  portion 
of  the  boundary  between  Wisconsin  and  Michigan  and  Chequamegan  Bay 
near  the  present  city  of  Ashland.  Near  Whittlesey's  Creek,  the  site  of  the 
present  city  of  Ashland,  Wisconsin,  they  built  a  fort,  the  first  structure 
built  by  white  men  in  Wisconsin,  or  on  Lake  Superior.  They  then  went 
westwardly  and  built  a  fort  in  what  is  now  the  state  of  Minnesota,  and  this 
was  the  first  building  erected  by  whites  in  that  state.  They  also  built 
a  fort  on  Chequamegan  Bay,  on  one  of  their  visits  to  its  shores.  This  voy- 
age seems  to  have  ended  in  1660.  Eadisson  did  not,  as  has  been  charged, 
claim  to  have  discovered  the  Mississippi  Eiver,  to  covet  that  honor  from 
Marquette  and  Joliet,  as  his  account  of  the  discovery  was  written  years 
before  Marquette  started  towards  that  river.  Eadisson  had  been  told  of  this 
great  river  by  Indians  whom  he  had  met  during  his  wanderings.  An  Iro- 
quois Chief,  for  instance,  had  told  him   about  it  in  1657.  While  Eadisson 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line  189 

has  told  much  that  has  been  proved  to  be  fiction,  still  there  is  no  doubt 
that  he  and  Grosielliers  were  the  first  to  thoroughly  explore  the  shores  of 
Lake  Superior  and  the  territory  of  Wisconsin  and  Minnesota,  and  they 
were  the  "promoters,"  to  use  a  modern  term — of  the  "Hudson  Bay  Com- 
pany of  Traders,"  and  hence  are  entitled  to  all  the  honor  that  is  due  to 
such  intrepid  workers.  "Their  names  must  ever  inseparably  remain  con- 
nected with  the  history  of  Wisconsin  and  of  the  old  North  West,  as  well 
as  of  much  more  of  the  North  American  continent."  An  island  in  Lake 
Superior  has  been  named  for  Grosielliers,  but  we  believe  that  this  attempt 
of  Captain  Woodman,  is  the  first  that  has  been  made  to  perpetuate  the  name 
and  fame  of  Eadisson. 

Ranch  Spur,  Burt  County,  Nebraska.  This  name  came  from  the  fact  that  around 
this  location  was  a  very  large  cattle  ranch.  A  side  track  was  put  in  here 
to  accomodate  the  operators  of  the  ranch  and  thus  the  name  became 
attached  to  the  place. 

Randolph,  Cedar  County,  Nebraska,  was  named  for  Randolph  Churchill  of 
England,  by  F.  H.  Peavey,  of  Minneapolis,  Minnesota,  who  owned  the  town- 
site. 

Bice  Lake,  Barron  County,  Wisconsin.  This  village  was  named  in  1870  by  the 
Knapp-Stout  Lumber  firm,  from  the  nearby  lake.  The  lake  was  named  from 
the  abundance  of  wild  rice  (Zizania  aquatica)  that  grew  in  it  v\en  the  land 
was  surveyed  by  the  United  States. 

Richardson,  Polk  County,  Wisconsin.  This  place  was  formerly  cnlled  Marsh 
Lake  from  a  nearby  marshy  lake.  Its  present  name  was  giv«n  it  in  1887 
for  Eugene  Richardson,  an  early  settler. 

Bitter,  O'Brien  County,  Iowa,  was  named  for  J.  L.  Ritter,  who  when  the  place 
was  platted  was,  and  for  a  long  time  had  been  a  train  dispatcher  on  the 
Chicago,  St.  Paul,  Minneapolis  and  Omaha  Railroad. 

River  Falls,  Pierce  County,  Wisconsin,  was  started  in  1849  and  was  known  as 
Greenwood,  until  1853,  when  the  present  name  was  adopted  from  the  falls 
in  the  Kinnikinnick  River  on  which  it  is  located.  The  river  is  named  from 
an  Indian  word  that  means  a  mixture  of  tobacco  and  the  bark  of  the  red 
willow  or  other  shrubs,  or  the  bark  of  the  shrubs  without  any  admixture 
of  tobacco.  In  either  case,  the  Indians  were  fond  of  smoking  in  their 
pipes  the  substance  they  named  by  this  word. 

Biverside,  Hanson  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  in  1899  from  its  situation 
on  the  east  sided  of  the  James  River.  It  was  once  known  as  Whites,  for  J. 
R.  White,  a  grain  and  stock  dealer  here,  for  many  years.  In  1893,  it  was 
by  W.  A.  Scott,  then  general  manager  of  the  railroad,  changed  to  "Kif" 
which  were  the  first  three  letters  in  the  name  of  a  town  in  Asiatic  Turkey 
— Kifri.  The  name  so  made  was  merely  adopted  because  it  was  sfcort,  and 
because  it  was  certain  that  no  other  place  in  the  United  States  would 
have  such  a  name. 

Roberts,  St.  Croix  County,  Wisconsin,  was  started  in  1873,  and  was  n^med  for 
one  of  the  engineers  employed  in  building  the  railroad  that  passes  through 
the  place. 

Bockmont,  Douglas  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  a  nearby  rocky  mound, 
and  as  also  was  the  post  office  that  was  established  here  before  the  days 
of  the  railroad.     In  an  early  day  the  village  was  called  Amnicon  from  the 


190  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 

river  of  that  name  that  flows  nearby.    The  name  of  the  river  is  Indian  for 
a  species  of  fish. 

Rock  Rapids,  Lyon  County,  Iowa.  This  place  was  located  in  1869  by  D.  C. 
Whitehead,  Matthias  Sweeny  and  Delos  Towsley.  They  were  exploring 
the  valley  of  Rock  River  and  when  they  arrived  at  its  junction  with  tho 
Kanavanzi  River,  they  were  so  attracted  by  the  scenery  that  they  deter- 
mined to  locate  a  town  there  and  they  did  so,  and  named  it  Rock  Rapids 
from  the  beautiful  waterfall  in  Rock  River. 

Rosedale,  Eau  Claire  County,  Wisconsin,  was  so  named  because  when  the  place 
was  laid  out  it  was  near  a  "dale"  or  small  valley  that  was  full  of  wild 
roses. 

Rushmore,  Nobles  County,  Minnesota.  This  place  was  located  in  1877  and 
named  by  and  for  Samuel  Rushmore,  who  was  the  first  person  to  engage  in 
any  kind  of  business  in  the  place. 

Rusk,  Dunn  County,  Wisconsin.  Was  named  for  ex-Governor  Jeremiah  M.  Rusk, 
of  Wisconsin,  afterwards  United  States  Secretary  of  Agriculture. 

St.  James,  Watonwan  County,  Minnesota.  This  town  was  named  by  J.  F. 
Drake,  of  St.  Paul,  Minnesota,  for  James  Parrington,  its  first  settler. 

St.  Paul,  Ramsay  County,  Minnesota.  This  place  was  started  in  1838  and  named 
in  1841.  It  was  named  from  a  log  church  which  was  built  for  Father  M. 
Galtier,  an  early  Jesuit  missionary.  The  church  was  named  for  "The 
Apostle  of  the  Gentiles."  The  first  house  was  built  here  in  1838.  The  place 
was  made  a  village  in  1849  and  a  city  in  1854. 

St.  Peter,  Le  Sueur  County,  Minnesota.  The  town  was  named  from  the  Min- 
nesota (St.  Peter)  River  that  runs  by  it.  The  river  was  named  the  St. 
Peter  for  Pierre  (Peter)  Charles  La  Sueur,  a  French  explorer  who  explored 
its  banks  for  many  miles  and  who  is  supposed  to  have  been  the  first  white 
man  to  navigate  the  stream.  He  was  on  it  as  early  as  1689.  The  above 
applies  to  the  original  city  of  St.  Peter.  The  little  village  that  is  on  this 
line  of  railroad  is  across  the  Minnesota  River  and  is  merely  a  suburb  of 
the  old  city. 

Salem,  McCook  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  by  J.  H.  Brown,  from  Salem, 
Massachusetts,  whence  he  had  emigrated.  Salem  is  a  Hebrew  word 
meaning  "peace,"  and  was  applied  to  the  place  in  Massachusetts  by  the 
earliest  settlers  in  the  hope  that  they  would  find  the  peaceful  security 
there  which  they  had  not  found  in  England. 

Salaio,  Bayfield  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  from  the  technical  name  of  the 
genus  of  fish  which  is  found  here,  viz:  the  Sahno  salar,  or  "salmon" 
of  the  Atlantic  Ocean.  The  name  for  this  place  was  suggested  by  the  fish 
commissioner  of  Minnesota. 

Sarona,  Washburn  County,  Wisconsin,  was  started  in  1898  and  was  named  by 
J.  S.  Hiebert,  the  founder.  The  name  is  of  Biblical  origin.  The  town  was 
started  as  a  religious — co-operative  venture.  The  original  idea  was  to  have 
all  the  property  in  common,  but  this  was  finally  found  to  be  impracti- 
cable and  was  abandoned.  The  translation  of  the  name  of  this  place  is  said 
to  be  "valley  of  flowers." 

Seeleys,  Sawyer  County,  Wisconsin.  This  name  merely  indicates  a  point  that 
is  shown  on  the  time-table  of  the  road.  The  name  has  no  historical  sig- 
nificance. 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line  101 

Sauntry,  Douglas  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  C.  S.  Sauntry,  a  large 
lumber  manufacturer  of  Stillwater,  Minnesota,  who  owned  large  interests 
near  here. 

Savage,  Scott  County,  Minnesota.  This  town  was  started  in  1855  and  was 
named  Hamilton  in  honor  of  Alexander  Hamilton,  one  of  the  statesmen 
of  the  Revolution.  In  1903  the  name  was  changed  to  honor  Marion  YV. 
Savage,  president  of  the  International  Stock  Food  Company,  of  Minneapo- 
lis, Minnesota,  who  had  a  large  stock  form  nearby. 

Seney,  Plymouth  County,  Iowa.  This  town  was  started  in  1874  and  was  nameil 
for  George  L.  Seney  of  Scarsdalc,  New  York,  who  from  1871  to  1881,  was 
a  director  of  the  railroad  that  runs  through  the  place. 

Severance,  Pierce  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  Judge  Martin  J.  Severance 
of  Mankato  and  Beldensville,  Minnesota. 

Shakopee,  Scott  County,  Minnesota,  was  started  in  1852  and  was  named  by 
Thomas  Holmes,  an  Indian  trader,  for  Nak-pan-dan  or  Shalcu-pa-dan,  or 
Shakopee,  a  Sioux  Indian  Chief,  who  formerly  lived  here.  The  name, 
meaning  "six"  or  as  some  wrongly    translate   it,  "little  six."  (Slialopula). 

Sheldon,  O'Brien  County,  Iowa,  was  started  in  1872  and  was  named  by  General 
J.  W.  Bishop  in  honor  of  Israel  Sheldon,  of  Orange,  New  Jersey,  who  was 
largely  interested  in  the  railroad  (Sioux  City  and  St.  Paul)  that  was  first 
built  through  this  place  by  General  Bishop,  Mr.  Sheldon  and  their  associ- 
ates. 

Shell  Lake,  Washburn  County,  Wisconsin.  The  town  was  named  by  and  for 
the  Shell  Lake  Lumber  Company.  That  company  was  named  from  the 
nearby  lake  and  the  lake  was  so  named  because  of  the  great  mass  of  shells 
that  were  found  on  its  shores,  and  because  it  was  fancied  by  the  dis- 
coverer of  the  lake  that  it  was  in  shape,  like  the  shells  on  its  shores.  It 
was  so  named  previous  to  1S52,  as  in  an  Atlas  published  in  Philidelphin, 
Pa.,  in  that  year,  it  bore  its  present  name. 

Sheppard,  Jackson  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  Andrew  Sheppard,  a 
nearby  sawmill  owner. 

Shoies,  Wayne  County,  Nebraska,  was  started  in  1902  and  was  named  for  Lyman 
Sho!es,  an  officer  of  the  railroad  company  who  is  located  in  Omaha,  Nebraska. 

Sibley,  Osceola  Count}',  Iowa.  This  town  was  laid  out  in  1873  and  was  named 
for  General  Henry  H.  Sibley,  an  earty  pioneer  of  the  territory,  the  first 
state  governor  and  its  military  defender  in  the  Sioux  War  of  1862. 

Sioux,  Bayfield  County,  Wisconsin.  Was  named  for  the  Dakota,  or  Sioux 
tribe  of  Indians.  The  word  Sioux  is  an  abbreviation  of  the  Ojibway  Indian 
name  (Nadowessioux)  for  the  tribe  and  means  "little  snakes,"  i.  e.  "ene- 
mies." The  Algonquin  name  for  the  Sioux  Indians  was  Nadowessiwag, 
meaning  "  snake, "  or  "snake  like  ones,"  "enemies."  The  whites  corrupted 
the  name  to  Sioux. 

Sicux  City,  Woodbury  County.  Towa.  This  town  was  laid  out  and  named  in 
1854  by  James  K.  Cooke.  It  was  named  from  the  Dakota,  or  Sioux  Indians, 
the  largest  tribe  in  the  United  States.  The  word  is  an  abbreviation  of 
their  Ojibway  name,  signifying  "litle  snakes"  i.  e.  "enemies."  In  17S5 
the  French  called  them  "LaSues,"  while  George  Crogan,  the  Indian 
interpreter  at  that  time  called  them  "La  Suil. " 


192  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 


Sioux  Falls,  Minnehaha  County,  South  Dakota.  This  place  was  named  by 
the  Dakota  Land  Company  for  the  falls  in  the  Big  Sioux  Kiver  that  runs 
through  the  place  and  that  enters  the  Missouri  Kiver  just  above  Sioux 
City.  The  falls  were  described  in  1838-9  by  Lieut.  John  C.  Fremont  and 
by  Jean  Nicholas  Nicollet,  the  French  explorer  and  map  maker,  who 
accompanied  Fremont.  Nicollet  says  the  Indians  around  the  Falls  called 
them  Tehan-lcas-an-data,  and  the  river  the  same,  and  that  this  signified 
"thick  wooded  river."  The  river  was  also  called  the  Calumet.  An  Iowa 
corporation  called  the  Western  Town  Lot  Company,  made  a  location  here, 
but  was  superseded  by  the  Dakota  Land  Company  that  is  named  above. 
Fort  Dakota  was  established  here  in  1865  as  a  protection  from  the  Sioux 
Indians  and  was  kept  garrisoned  until  1869. 

Slayton,  Murray  County,  Minnesota,  was  named  in  1882  for  C.  W.  Slayton, 
who  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  to  locate  here. 

Solon  Springs,  Douglas  County,  Wisconsin.  This  place  was  named  Solon 
Springs  by  and  for  Thomas  Solon,  who  discovered  and  owned  the  medicinal 
springs  at  this  point.  The  place  was  started  in  1883  and  was-  named 
"White  Birch'  from  the  abundance  of  white  birch  (Betula  populifolia) 
trees  that  grew  hereabouts.  Its  present  name  was  adopted  in  1896.  It  is 
asserted  that  two  rivers,  one  flowing  south  and  the  other  north,  have  their 
source  in  these  springs. 

South  Omaha,  Douglas  County,  Nebraska,  is  named  for  the  nearby  city.  It  is 
the  location  of  extensive  stock  yards  and  packing  manufacturing  plants. 
The  name  here  merely  indicates  a  point  that  is  shown  on  the  timetable  of 
the  road.     The  name  has  no  historical  significance. 

South  St.  Paul,  Dakota  County,  Minnesota.  Is  really  a  suburb  of  St.  Paul.  The 
name  merely  indicates  a  point  that  is  shown  on  the  time-table  of  the 
road.     The  name  has  no  historical  significance. 

South  Blair,  Washington  County,  Nebraska.  The  name  merely  shows  a  point 
that  is  shown  on  the  time-table  of  the  road.  The  name  has  no  historical 
significance. 

South  Sioux  City,  Dakota  County,  Nebraska.  This  place  was  formerly  called 
Covington;  its  present  post  office  name  is  Sioux.  The  name  of  the  town  as 
well  as  of  the  post  office,  comes  from  the  name  of  the  Dakota  (Siou-O 
tribe  of  Indians,  the  largest  tribe  in  the  United  States.  The  word  really 
is  an  abbreviation  of  the  name  given  to  the  tribe  by  the  Ojibway  Indians 
and  means  "little  snakes,"  i.  e.  "enemies." 

South  Range,  Douglas  County,  Wisconsin.  This  name  merely  indicates  a 
point  that  is  shown  on  the  time  table  of  the  road.  The  name  has  no  his- 
torical significance. 

South  Stillwater,  Washington  County,  Minnesota.  For  the  origin,  etc.,  of  this 
name,  see  Stillwater.     It  is  really  but  a  suburb  of  that  city. 

Spencer,  McCook  County,  South  Dakota,  was  named  by  F.  H.  Peavey,  the 
president  of  the  land  company  that  owned  the  town  site  and  started  the 
town  in  1887,  for  H.  Spencer,  the  then  division  superintendent  of  the 
railroad  that  runs  through  the  place. 

Spooner,  Washburn  County,  Wisconsin.  This  place  was  started  in  1883  and  was 
named  for  United  States  Senator  John  C.  Spooner,  of  Wisconsin,  by  E.  W. 
Winter,  the  then  general  manager  of  the  railroad  that  runs  through  the 
place. 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line  193 

Spring  Brook,  Washburn  County,  Wisconsin.  This  town  was  started  and  named 
in  1888  by  Joseph  Trepania,  from  a  little  brook  that  originates  in  a  spring 
nearby  and  that  runs  through  the  village.  Its  post  office  once  bore  the  name 
of  Namekegan  from  the  river  of  that  name;  the  river  was  named  from  the 
lake  of  that  name,  and  that  was  named  from  the  Indian  word  namna, 
meaning  "sturgeon,"  or  "the  place  where  sturgeons  are  plentiful." 

Spring  Valley,  Pierce  County,  Wisconsin,  was  started  in  1892  and  was  named  by 
William  D.  Akers,  its  earliest  settler,  from  numerous  large  springs  that 
flowed  through  a  nearby  valley. 

Stanton,  St.  Croix  County,  Wisconsin.  The  town  was  started  in  1880  and  was 
named  Ormes  (origin  not  now  known).  The  name  was  changed  for  the 
present  one  in  1900,  and  was  so  named  in  honor  of  E.  M.  Stanton,  the 
great  war  secretary  of  the  War  of  the  Kebellion. 

Stock  Yards,  Woodbury  County,  Iowa.  This  name  merely  indicates  a  point 
that  is  shown  on  the  time-table  of  the  road.  The  name  has  no  historical 
significance. 

Stillwater,  Washington  County,  Minnesota,  was  located  in  1838  and  named  in 
1842  by  John  McKasick,  because,  owing  to  the  great  depth  of  the  waters 
in  the  river  (St.  Croix),  and  from  the  fact  that  the  fall  in  the  water  until 
it  reaches  the  Mississippi  River,  is  very  slight,  the  waters  ran  very  still. 
At  an  early  day  the  town  was  called  Dakotah  from  the  Dakota  (Sioux) 
Indian  tribe. 

Stillwater  Junction,  Washington  County,  Minnesota,  was  so  named  owing  to  its 
nearness  and  relation  to  the  eity  of  Stillwater. 

Stinnett,  Washington  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  W.  W.  Stinnett,  a 
former  trainmaster  and  division  superintendent  of  the  railroad  that  runs 
through  this  place. 

Stone,  Blue  Earth  County,  Minnesota.  This  place  was  originally  called  Quarry 
owing  to  stone  quarries  in  the  vicinity.  In  1902  the  name  was  changed  to 
Stone  and  came  from  the  same  "stone  quarries"  that  had  given  it  its 
earlier  name. 

Storden,  Cottonwood  County,  Minnesota.  The  town  was  started  in  1902  and 
was  named  from  the  township  in  which  it  is  located.  The  township  was 
named  for  its  earliest  settler,  Nels  Storden,  late  of  Norway. 

StowelL  Monroe  County,  Wisconsin.  Was  named  by  E.  W.  Winter,  then 
general  manager  of  the  railroad  for  Mrs.  (W.  W.  H.)  Elinor  Stowell,  who 
was  a  daughter  of  General  J.  T.  Averill,  Colonel  of  the  Sixth  Minnesota 
Regiment  during  the  War  of  the  Rebellion. 

Strum,  Trempeleau  County,  Wisconsin,  was  started  in  1875  and  was  named  in 
1884  by  Congressman  William  T.  Price,  for  his  friend,  Louis  Strum,  of 
Eau  Claire,  Wisconsin.  Previous  to  1884,  the  town  was  called  Tilden,  for 
Samuel  J.  Tilden,  the  statesman  of  New  York  State. 

Superior,  Douglas  County,  Wisconsin.  The  first  location  here  was  made  imme- 
diately after  the  repeal  of  the  Missouri  compromise  by  a  company  of  pro- 
slavery  southerners  with  J.  C.  Breekenridge  of  Kentucky  as  its  leading  spirit. 
The  intention  was  to  make  a  summer  resort  where  the  southerners  could 
escape  the  heat  of  the  southern  summers  and  would  be  free  to  take  their  slave 
servants  with  them  which  they  would  not  do  if  they  went  to  the  eastern 
watering  places.  This  city  was  named  by  the  Superior  Land  Company,  that 
started  the  place  in  1853-4,  from  the  great  lake  on  which  it  is  located.     The 


194  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 

name  of  that  lake  is  a  translation  of  the  original  French  name,  lac  superior, 
"upper  lake."  This  great  lake  was  discovered  by  Stephen  Brule,  "the 
dauntless  woodsman,  pioneer  and  interpreter,"  who  was  finally  killed  and 
eaten  by  Huron  Indians. 

Summit,  Chippewa  County,  "Wisconsin.  This  name  merely  indicates  a  point 
that  is  shown  on  the  time-table  of  the  road.  The  name  has  no  historical 
significance. 

Sweden,  Bayfield  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  the  country  and  to  honor 
the  many  Swedes  who  lived  in  the  vicinity  when  the  town  was  established. 

Sydney,  Clark  County,  Wisconsin,  its  first  name  was  "Tay"  which  had  no 
meaning,  and  "was  used  simply  because  it  was  a  short  word."  The  present 
name  was  given  it  by  William  Bennett  when  he  was  superintendent  of  the 
railroad  that  runs  through  this  place.  It  has  no  history.  He  adopted 
the  name  because  he  thought  it  euphonious,  and  had  not  been  used  in 
Wisconsin,  and  could  easily  be  written  and  telegraphed. 

Teegarden,  Dunn  county,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  the  Teegarden  family  who 
had  fish  (brook  trout)  ponds  and  a  "summer  resort"  at  this  point.  Thomas 
Teegarden  owned  much  land  in  this  vicinity,  had  a  saw  and  a  grist  mill 
here  on  Wilson  Creek,  and  was  the  "Patriarch"  of  the  family  and  settle- 
ment. In  naming  the  village,  it  was  intended  especially  to  honor  this  old 
pioneer. 

Tekamah,  Burt  County,  Nebraska,  was  started  in  1854  and  was  named  by  its 
founder,  Colonel  Benjamin  R.  Folsom,  of  Attica,  New  York.  The  name  of 
the  town  comes  from  the  Omaha  Indian  word  te-lca-mah  and  means  "  Cot- 
tonwood," or  "big  cottonwood."  Colonel  Folsom  adopted  the  name  for  this 
town  because  it  Avas  surrounded  by  large  cottonwood  (Popidus  Canaden- 
sis trees. 

Thurston,  Thurston  County,  Nebraska,  was  started  in  1887  and  was  named  from 
the  county,  which  was  named  for  J.  M.  Thurston,  United  States  Senator 
from  Nebraska.  Its  earliest  name  was  Flourney  and  was  so  named  for  an 
early  officer  of  the  railroad  that  runs  through  it. 

Tramway,  Dunn  County,  Wisconsin,  was  so  named  because  of  a  'tramway"  or 
log  railroad,  that  ran  into  the  timber  from  this  location. 

Trego,  Washburn  County,  Wisconsin.  This  place  was  known  as  Veazie,  and 
as  Mills,  so  named  for  Congressman  Mills,  and  then  as  Superior  Junc- 
tion. This  last  name  was  adopted  because  the  place  was  the  junction  of 
two  lines  of  railroad.  The  present  name  was  manufactured  by  Captain 
E.  E.  Woodman,  of  the  Chicago,  St.  Paul,  Minneapolis  and  Omaha  Railroad, 
from  the  Latin  word,  "tres"  for  "three"  and  "go,"  meaning  "ways" 
or  "roads."  The  "s"  was  dropped  for  euphony.  The  word  "trego"  is 
also  a  Spanish  word  used  to  designate  the  "wheat,"  "grain."  In  Span- 
ish it  is  sometimes  spelled  Trigo,  but  pronounced  Trego.  The  section  of 
modern  Rome  that  is  called  Trevi,  took  its  name  from  Trivum  which  was 
the  old  Roman  name  for  any  place  where  two  long  streets  or  roads  came 
together.  Captain  Woodman  courteously  furnished  this  explanation  of 
the  reason  he  had  for  making  the  name  for  this  location. 

Trent,  Nobles  County,  Minnesota.  There  is  a  dispute  as  to  the  origin  of  the 
name  that  was  selected  for  this  place.  One  faction  asserts  it  was  named  for 
Trent  in  the  Italian  Tyrol  of  Austro-Hungary,  where  was  held  the  famous 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line  195 

Council  of  Trent  in  1545-63  ami  that  fixed  many  religious  tenets.  Th-j 
other  faction  claims  that  the  name  was  taken  from  the  River  Trent  in 
England. 

Trow,  Clark  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  A.  S.  Trow,  of  Merrillan,  Wis- 
cousin,  who  owned  property  here. 

Truas,  Eau  Claire  County,  Wisconsin,  w;is  named  for  ihe  Truax  family,  who 
lived  in  the  vicinity  and  owned  large  quantities  of  land  here.  A  prairie 
nearby  was  also  named  for  this  family. 

Truman,  Martin  County,  Minnesota,  was  started  in  1899  and  was  named  for 
Truman  Clark,  a  son  of  J.  T.  Clark,  second  vice  president  of  the  Chicago, 
St.  Paul,  Minneapolis  and  Omaha  Railroad,  when  the  town  was  laid  out. 

Twin  City  Stock  Yards,  Ramsay  County,  Minnesota.  This  name  merely  indicates 
a  point  that  is  shown  on  the  time  table  of  the  road.  The  name  has  no  his- 
torical significance. 

Tunnel,  Juneau  County,  Wisconsin,  was  so  named  from  the  fact  of  there  being 
a  tunnel  that  pierced  a  hill  on  the  railroad  near  this  place. 

Turtle  Lake,  Barron  County,  Wisconsin,  was  started  in  1876  and  was  named  by 
S.  F.  Richardson,  its  earliest  settler,  from  two  nearby  lakes.  The  name  is 
a  transliteration  of  the  Indian  name  of  the  lakes. 

Tuscobia,  Barron  County  Wisconsin.  This  name  was  manufactured  out  of  the 
word  "tuscola,"  which  is  Indian  and  means  "a  level  place."  A  nearby 
creek  also  carries  the  same  name  as  the  town. 

Tyson,  Washington  County,  Nebraska.  The  original  name  of  this  town  was 
Illland,  it  having  been  named  for  James  II.  Ililand,  an  officer  of  a  prominent 
western  railroad.  Its  name  was  changed  to  honor  the  Tyson  family  that 
was  prominent  and  pioneers  in  this  vicinity. 

Valley  Junction,  Monroe  County,  Wisconsin.  This  place  was  started  in  1875 
and  named  from  its  postoffice  in  1900.  It  was  so  named  because  the  post- 
office  was  in  a  deep  valley  at  the  junction  of  two  highways. 

Valley  Springs,  Minnehaha  County,  South  Dakota,  was  started  in  1872  and 
was  named  by  L.  M.  Wood,  from  the  many  springs  that  were  found  in  the 
valley  along  the  course  of  Beaver  Creek  that  runs  nearby. 

Vernon  Center,  Blue  Earth  County,  Minnesota,  was  started  in  1850  and  named  as 
above  in  1S73.  Its  name  was  taken  from  Mount  Vernon,  the  home  of 
Washington  on  the  Potomac  River  in  Virginia.  The  town  was  once  called 
Edgewood,  from  being  located  at  the  edge  or  margin  of  a  grove  of  trees; 
that  name  was  dropped  for  the  present  one. 

Vista,  Dakota  County,  Nebraska.  The  earliest  name  of  this  town  was  Brady, 
and  it  was  named  for  a  pioneer  family  of  the  vicinity.  Owing  to  the  fact 
that  an  island  in  the  Platte  River  was  called  Brady's  Island,  it  was  thought 
best  to  change  the  name  of  this  place,  as  the  name  of  the  island  could 
only  be  changed  by  act  of  congress.  The  present  name  was  selected 
because  of  the  views  from  the  place  and  the  vistas  formed  by  the  hills 
and  valleys  picturesquely  surrounding  it. 

Wakefield,  Dixon  County,  Nebraska,  was  started  in  1881  and  was  named  for  L. 
W.  Wakefield,  the  engineer  who  located  the  lines  of  the  railroad  from 
Sioux  City  through  this  place. 

Warner,  Rock  County,  Minnesota.  This  place  was  named  for  Eling  F.  Warner, 
one  of  the  original  directors  of  the  Sioux  City  and  St.  Paul  Railroad  Com- 
pany, who  was  a  prominent  express  man  in  St.  Paul  many  years  ago. 


196  History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 

Warren,  Monroe  County,  Wisconsin.  This  village  was  started  in  1868,  and  was 
named  Warren's  Mills  by  George  Warren,  from  mills  owned  by  the  George 
Warren  Company.  In  1893,  the  name  was  changed  to  its  present  form. 
George  Warren  was  the  first  settler  in  this  place. 
Wascott,  Douglas  County,  Wisconsin.  This  name  was  made  out  of  the  name 
W.  A.  Scott.  Mr.  Scott  was  for  many  years,  a  managing  officer  of  the 
railroad  that  runs  through  this  place. 

Washburn,  Bayfield  County,  Wisconsin.  This  town  was  established  in  1883 
by  the  Bay  Land  and  Improvement  Company,  and  was  named  for  W.  D. 
Washburn,  United  States  Senator  from  Minnesota  and  a  large  flour  mill 
owner  of  Minneapolis,  Minnesota. 

Wausa,  Knox  County,  Nebraska.  This  town  was  started  in  1890  and  was 
named  by  two  Lutheran  ministers,  named  Foglelstrom  and  Torell  respect- 
ively, for  Gustavus  Vasa,  the  first  Protestant  King  of  Sweden.  The 
spelling  Wausa  was  adopted  to  correspond  with  what  was  certain  to  be 
the  pronunciation  of  the  word  Vasa.  Before  its  present  name  was  adopted 
the  town  was  called  Thorson.  for  its  earliest  settler. 

Wayne,  Wayne  County,  Nebraska.  This  town  was  started  in  1881  and  was 
named  from  the  county.  That  was  named  to  honor  the  memory  of  General 
Anthony  Wayne,  one  of  the  heroes  of  the  Eevolution. 

Wedges  Creek,  Clark  County,  Wisconsin.  This  was  named  from  a  nearby 
creek.  The  proper  name  is  "Wages,"  and  it  was  named  by  and  for  John 
D.  Wage,  a  Maine  lumberman  who  was  sent  to  Wisconsin  by  Governor 
Coburn  and  other  capitalists  of  Maine  to  log  and  lumber  a  large  tract 
of  timber  land  which  they  owned  in  this  vicinity.  Mr.  Wage  claimed  to 
have  discovered  the  creek,  and  that  gave  him  authority  to  name  it.  How 
the  name  came  to  be  changed  to  its  present  form  is  not  known,  but  it 
is  supposed  to  have  been  done  by  simple  carelessness  of  the  surveyors  and 
state  map  makers. 

Westbrook,  Cottonwood  County,  Minnesota,  was  started  in  1900  and  was  named 
because  the  west  branch  of  a  creek  or  brook  ran  through  it. 

Weston,  Dunn  County,  Wisconsin.  This  town  was  started  in  1901,  and  was 
named  from  a  postoffice  that  for  many  years  had  been  operated  some  miles 
from  this  location.  The  old  postoffice  was  named  for  its  postmaster, 
who  was  the  earliest  settler  in  his  part  of  the  county. 

Wilder,  Jackson  County,  Minnesota.  This  town  was  started  in  1885  and  was 
named  by  D.  G.  Gunn  for  A.  H.  Wilder,  of  St.  Paul,  Minnesota. 

White  Eiver,  Bayfield  County,  Wisconsin.  This  name  merely  indicates  a  point 
that  is  shown  on  the  time  table  of  the  road.  The  name  comes  from  a  nearby 
stream,  but  has  no  historical  significance. 

Wildwood,  St.  Croix  County,  Wisconsin.  This  name  was  given  the  place  as 
being  indicative  of  the  surroundings,  when  the  town  was  laid  out;  it  being 
in  the  center  of  a  dense  (wild)  wood  or  tract  of  timber. 

Wilson,  St.  Croix  County,  Wisconsin.  This  town  was  established  in  1870  and 
was  named  for  Captain  William  Wilson,  of  Menomonie,  Wisconsin,  who 
had  located  a  lumber  manufacturing  establishment  here  at  the  time  the 
place  was  named. 

Windom,  Cottonwood  County,  Minnesota.  This  town  was  started  in  1871  and 
was  named  by  General  Judson  W.  Bishop,  who  built  the  railroad  through 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line  197 

it,  for  William  Windom,  United  States  Senator  from  Minnesota,  and 
United  States  Secretary  of  the  Treasury. 

Winnebago,  Faribault  County,  Minnesota.  The  town  was  located  in  1856  and 
was  named  Winnebago  City  by  Andrew  C.  Dunn,  to  distinguish  it  from  the, 
Winnebago  Indian  Agency  near  Mankato.  In  1905  the  present  name  was 
adopted.  It  was  named  for  the  tribe  of  Indians,  the  name  meaning 
"people  of  the  stinking  water,"  or  "men  of  (or  from)  the  bad  smelling 
waters."  The  original  word  was  ouinepeg,  or  ouinepego.  The  name 
Winnipeg  comes  from  the  same  Indian  word. 

Winside,  Wayne  County,  Nebraska.  This  place  was  platted  in  1886.  Three 
miles  away  was  the  village  and  postoffice  of  North  Side,  so  named  because 
it  was  on  the  north  side  of  the  "divide"  or  ridge  of  land  that  runs  be- 
tween the  Elkhorn  and  Logan  Kivers.  K.  C.  Crawford  started  Winside  to 
compete  with  North  Side,  and  it  was  so  named  because  he  said  it  was 
"bound  to  win,"  and  in  time  would  "kill  off  North  Side." 

Winter,  Sawyer  County,  Wisconsin,  was  started  in  1904  and  was  named  for 
W.  C.  Winter,  the  then  Superintendent  of  the  railroad  that  runs  through 
the  place. 

Wynot,  Cedar  County,  Nebraska.  The  name  is  merely  fanciful  and  is  an 
elision  of  "Why  not,"  which  was  the  answer  given  by  the  party,  who 
suggested  the  name,  when  he  asked  "Why  not  name  it  Wynot?"  The 
name  was  suggested  by  T.  N.  Jones  of  St.  James,  Nebraska,  and  was 
adopted  by  the  railroad  company. 

Woodstock,  Pipestone  County,  Minnesota.  The  first  name  of  this  place  was 
Burk,  and  it  was  so  named  in  1880  for  its  first  settler.  The  name  was 
dropped  by  general  consent  and  the  present  name  adopted  in  1881.  It 
was  named  from  Woodstock,  McHenry  County,  Illinois,  and  that  was 
named  from  Woodstock,  Vermont,  and  that  was  named  from  the  town  in 
England. 

Woodville,  St.  Croix  County,  Wisconsin.  This  town  was  started  in  1870  and 
was  named  Kelly's  Switch,  for  a  nearby  mill  owner.  In  1874  that  name 
was  dropped  and  the  present  adopted.  The  present  name  came  from 
Woodville,  Jefferson  County,  New  York  and  that  was  named  for  Ebenezer, 
Ephraim  and  Jacob  Wood,  the  first  settlers. 

Worthington,  Nobles  County,  Minnesota.  This  town  was  started  in  1871  by 
the  National  Colony  Company,  of  which  Miller  and  Hamilton  were  the 
managers.  It  was  started  as  a  prohibition  colony,  and  for  many  years 
was  such.  It  was  named  for  the  Worthington  family  of  Ohio  who  were 
noted  people  in  the  early  days  of  that  State,  and  that  furnished  at  least 
one  governor  thereof. 

Wright,  Jackson  County,  Wisconsin,  was  named  for  W.  H.  S.  Wright,  for 
many  years,  the  purchasing  agent  of  the  railroad  that  runs  through  this 
place. 

Wyeville,  Monroe  County,  Wisconsin.  This  place  was  formerly  known  as 
Necedah  Junction.  The  postoffice  had  long  been  known  as  Wyeville,  and 
in  1906  the  name  of  the  town  was  changed  to  correspond  to  that  of  the 
postoffice. 

Yara,  Dakota  County,  Minnesota,  was  named  from  a  place  near  Santiago  in 
Cuba. 


198  History  ok  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western   Line 


Yarnell,  Sawyer  County,  Wisconsin.  This  place  was  named  for  the  Yarnel) 
family  of  Pennsylvania,  that  had  many  representatives  of  it  living  in 
this  vicinity  when  the  town  was  named. 

Yolo,  Clark  County,  Wisconsin.  This  was  named  from  the  county  in  California. 
The  word  is  Indian.  One  authority  says- it  means  "a  place  abounding  in 
rushes,"  while  others  claim  it  means  "possession  of  royal  blood." 

Youngs,  Washburn  County,  Wisconsin.  This  name  merely  indicates  a  point 
that  is  shown  on  the  time  table  of  the  road.  The  name  has  no  historical 
significance. 


AS  TO  THE 


CHICAGO,  ST.  PAUL,  MINNEAPOLIS  C& 
OMAHA  RAILWAY. 


ABANDONED  NAMES. 


The  following  names,  in  an  early  day  were  applied  to  towns  and  villages 

along  the  line  of  this  road.  For  various  reasons,  these  names  were  abandoned 

and  the  current  names  were  substituted.  In  cases  where  the  name  of  the  post- 
office  varies  from  that  of  the  village  or  station,  the  postoffice  name  is  also 
given  in  this  list. 

Abandoned  Names.  Current  Names. 

Auburn  See  New  Auburn,  Chippewa  Co.,  Wisconsin. 

Amnicon   "  Eockmont,   Douglas   Co.,   Wisconsin. 

Bay  City    "  Ashland,  Ashland  Co.,  Wisconsin. 

Bourne    "  Barronett,  Barron  Co.,  Wisconsin. 

Buena  Vista "  Hudson,  St.  Croix  Co.,  Wisconsin. 

Brady    "  Vista,  Dakota  Co.,  Nebraska. 

Burk    "  Woodstock,  Pipestone  Co.,  Minnesota. 

Claremont    "  Laurel,  Cedar  Co.,  Nebraska. 

Cartwright "  New  Auburn,  Chippewa  Co.,  Wisconsin. 

Clarkesvlli*.    "  Baldwin,  St.  Croix  Co.,  Wisconsin. 

Chetek    "  Currie,  Murray  Co.,  Minnesota. 

Cousins  "  Fall  Creek,  Eau  Claire  Co.,  Wisconsin. 

Calhoun    "  Fort  Calhoun,  Washington  Co.,  Nebraska. 

Covington    "  South  Sioux  City,  Dakota  Co.,  Nebraska. 

Drake     "  Magnolia,   Kock   County,   Minnesota. 

Dakotah    "  Sillwater,  Washington  Co.,  Winconsin. 

Ell  Roy    "  Elroy,  Juneau  Co.,  Wisconsin. 

East  Orange   "  Alton,  Sioux  Co.,  Iowa. 

Edgewood    "  Vernon  Center,  Blue  Earth  Co.,  Minnesota. 

East  Connection    "  Cliff,  Dakota  Co.,  Minnesota. 

Foster   City    "  Barronett,  Barron  Co.,  Wisconsin. 

Fountain  Spur "  Donald,  Taylor  County,  Wisconsin. 

Fainnount    "  Fairmont.  Martin  Co.,  Minnesota. 

Foster's  Crossing  "  New  Kichmond,  St.  Croix  Co.,  Wisconsin. 

Fremont    "  New  Kichmond,  St.  Croix  Co.,  Wisconsin. 

Fountain     "  Donald,  Taylor  Co.,  Wisconsin. 

Flourney     "  Thurston,  Thurston  Co.,  Nebraska. 

Greenwood    "  River  Falls,  Pierce  Co.,  Wisconsin. 

Gridley    "  New  Richmond,  Ct.  Croix  Co.,  Wisconsin. 

Gillman    "  Ashton,  Osceola  Co.,  Iowa. 

Garfield    "  Requa,  Jackson  Co.,  Wisconsin. 

Gray    "  Eaton,  Pipestone  Co.,  Minnesota. 

Hanson    "  Requa,  Jackson  Co.,  Wisconsin. 


200 


History  ok  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 


Abandoned  Names.  Current  Names. 

Hersey    See  Brewster,  Nobles  Co.,  Minnesota. 

Hiland    ' '      Tyson,  Washington  Co.,  Nebraska. 

Holmes   "     Hines,  Douglas  Co.,  Wisconsin. 

Hiebert     "     Sarona,  Washburn  Co.,  Wisconsin. 

Hamilton    "     Savage,  Scott  Co.,  Minnesota. 

rceland   "     Perth,  Blue  Earth  Co.,  Minnesota. 

Iselin    "     Org,  Nobles  Co.,  Minnesota. 

Sennesaw "     Emerson,  Dixon  Co.,  Nebraska. 

Kelley's  Switch "      Woodville,  St.  Croix  Co..  Wisconsin. 

Kif    "     Riverside,  Hanson  Co.,  South  Dakota. 

Little  Land "      Cumberland,   Barron  Co.,   Wisconsin. 

Little  Falls   "     Holcomb,   Chippewa   Co.,   Wisconsin. 

Long  Lake    "     Barden,  Scott  Co.,  Minnesota. 

Lunt's "     Lakewood,  Lyon  Co.,  Iowa. 

Mills    "      Trego,  Washburn  Co.,  Wisconsin. 

Mason  Junction "  Bibon,  Bayfield  Co.,  Wisconsin. 

Mapleworks "      Granton,  Clark  County,  Wisconsin. 

Marsh  Lake    "  Bichardson,  Polk   Co.,   Wisconsin. 

Namekegan    "  Spring  Brook,  Washburn  Co.,  Wisconsin. 

Northside "  Winside,  Wayne  Co.,  Nebraska. 

North  Wisconsin  June.  "  North  Line,  St.  Croix  Co.,  Wisconsin. 

Necedah  Junction "  Wyeville,  Monroe  Co.,  Wisconsin. 

Oakdale    "  Lake  Elmo,  Washington  Co.,  Minnesota. 

Ormes   "  Stanton,  St.  Croix  Co.,  Wisconsin. 

Orange  City    "  Alton,  Sioux  Co.,  Iowa. 

Perry    "  Ellsworth,  Pierce  Co.,  Wisconsin. 

Pratt    "  Grandview,  Bayfield  Co.,  Wisconsin. 

Prairie  La  Fleche "  Le  Sueur,  Le  Sueur  Co.,  Minnesota. 

Prairie  Junction "  Miloma,  Jackson  Co.,  Minnesota. 

Quarry  Track   "  Stone,  Blue  Earth  Co.,  Minnesota. 

Rudolph    "  Henderson,  Le  Sueur  Co.,  Minnesota. 

Stillhaven    "  Arnold,  Chippewa  Co.,  Wisconsin. 

Bcoopville "  Ellis,  Minnehaha  Co.,  South  Dakota. 

St.  Mark    "  Ashland,  Ashland  Co.,  Wisconsin, 

Sibley   "  Barden,  Scott  Co.,  Minnesota. 

Simon    "  Nacora,  Dakota  Co.,  Nebraska. 

Sheteck "  Currie,  Murray  Co.,  Minnesota. 

Sioux  Falls  Junction...  "  Org,  Nobles  Co.,  Minnesota. 

Superior  Junction "  Trego,  Washburn  Co.,  Wisconsin. 

St.  Lawrence    "  Lawrence,  Scott  Co.,  Minnesota. 

Sioux    "  South  Sioux  City,  Dakota  Co.,  Nebraska. 

Sinclair's  Spur "  Earl,  Washburn  Co..  Wisconsin. 

Thorson "  Wausa,  Knox  Co.,  Nebraska. 

Tilden  "  Strum,  Trempeleau  Co.,  Wisconsin. 

Tay    «<  Sydney,  Clark  Co.,  Wisconsin. 

Vermillion    "  Jim  Falls,  Chippewa  Co.,  Wisconsin. 

Veazie    "  Trego,  Washburn  Co.,  Wisconsin. 

Vanville   "  Bloomer,  Chippewa  Co.,  Wisconsin. 

Warren's  Mills "  Warren,  Monroe  Co.,  Wisconsin. 


History  of  the  Place  Names  of  The  North  Western  Line 


201 


Abandoned  Nambs. 

Wahinoge    See 

Westside 

White  Birch 

Whittlesey 

Wilhelmine    

Warren 

Winter  Quarters 

Whites    

Wausa 

Willow  Biver 

Winnebago  City 


Current  Names. 
Le  Sueur,  Le  Sueur  Co.,  Minnesota. 
Magnolia,  Rock  Co.,  Minnesota. 
Solon  Springs,  Douglas  Co.,  Wisconsin. 
Ashland,  Ashland  Co.,  Wisconsin. 
Delft,  Cottonwood  Co.,  Minnesota. 
Dundee,  Nobles  Co.,  Minnesota. 
Florence,  Douglas  Co.,  Nebraska. 
Riverside,  Hanson   Co.,  South   Dakota. 
Bloomfield,  Knox  Co.,  Nebraska. 
Hudson,  St.  Croix  Co.,  Wisconsin. 
Winnebago,  Faribault  Co.,  Minnesota. 


CHICAGO,  ST.  PAUL,  MINNEAPOLIS  C& 
OMAHA  RAILWAY. 

The  Chicago,  St.  Paul,  Minneapolis  &  Omaha  Bail  way  Company  was 
organized  in  1880  and  through  absorption  and  construction  now  operates  1729 
miles  of  road.     The  first  portion  of  the  road  was  started  in  Minnesota  in  1865. 

The  present  mileage  of  what  is  known  locally  as  the  "Omaha  Eoad"  is  in 
the  following  States:  Wisconsin  758,  Minnesota  473,  Iowa  102,  Nebraska  308, 
and  South  Dakota  88. 

The  Main  line  of  the  "Omaha  Eoad"  radiates  from  Minneapolis  and  St. 
Paul  East  and  North  East  and  South  and  South  West.  It  has  fifteen  connecting 
points  with  the  Chicago  &  North  Western  Kailway  where  freight  and  passenger 
traffic  is  interchanged  and  because  of  these  connections  the  country  at  the 
Head-of-the-Lakes  as  well  as  St.  Paul  and  Minneapolis  is  put  in  direct  con- 
nection with  the  large  territory  covered  by  the  C.  &  N.  W.  By.  with  its  nearly 
8,000  miles  of  road. 

The  Chicago,  St.  Paul,  Minneapolis  &  Omaha  Bailway  Company  through  its 
connection  with  the  C.  &  N.  W.  By.  gives  to  the  cities  of  St.  Paul,  Minneapolis 
and  Duluth  the  best  passenger  and  freight  service  to  Chicago,  to  Omaha  and  to 
the  Black  Hills  Country. 

For  passenger  service  there  are  26  trains  a  day  out  of  and  into  St.  Paul 
and  Minneapolis  over  these  lines  including  four  each  way  between  Minneapolis, 
St.  Paul  and  Chicago,  two  each  way  between  Minneapolis,  St.  Paul  and 
Head  of  Lake  Superior,  three  each  way  between  Minneapolis,  St.  Paul 
and  Omaha  with  sleeping  cars  on  night  trains  to  Chicago,  111.,  Milwau- 
kee and  Fond  du  Lac,  Wis.,  and  West  to  Watertown,  Bedfield,  Huron  and 
Mitchell,  South  Dakota,  to  Sioux  City  and  Council  Bluffs,  Iowa,  to  Omaha, 
Nebraska  and  Kansas  City,  Mo.  There  are  also  limited  trains,  electric  lighted, 
between  Duluth,  Superior  and  Chicago  as  well  as  between  Minneapolis,  St.  Paul 
and  Chicago  and  Minneapolis,  St.  Paul  and  Omaha. 

The  cities  and  villages  along  the  "Omaha  Eoad"  are  showing  a  steady 
growth  and  new  business  enterprises  are  being  constantly  started,  especially 
in  Northern  Wisconsiu  is  the  growth  of  the  country  more  rapid  because  of  the 
large  acreage  of  the  cut  over  timber  lands  being  placed  on  the  market  by 
lumber  companies.  The  "Omaha  Eoad"  also  has  several  thousand  acres  of 
land  yet  unsold  which  are  now  on  the  market  at  low  prices  and  on  long  time 
and  owing  to  the  close  proximity  of  these  Wisconsin  lands  to  the  large  business 
centers  such  as  St.  Paul,  Minneapolis,  Duluth,  Superior,  Milwaukee  and  Chicago 
a  ready  market  with  good  prices  is  assured. 

Any  information  desired  about  lands  or  business  openings  on  the  "Omaha 
Eoad"  or  information  as  to  fares  or  passenger  train  schedules  may  be  had  by 
addressing  Ceneral  Passenger  Agent  C.  St.  P.,  M.  &  O.  By.,  St.  Paul,  Minn. 

Any  information  desired  about  rates  on  freight  or  freight  train  service 
or  location  for  manufacturing  concerns  should  be  addressed  to  General  Freight 
Agent,  C.  St.  P.,  M.  &  O.  By.,  St.  Paul,  Minn. 


MILEAGE  Mile9 

Unxl:iiisu>u>i>a'«    Chicago  A:  North  'Western  Ry 7.611.16 

=-W^K3rhwr2    Cnicago.  St.  Paul.  Minneapolis  A  Omaha  Ry 1,729.58 

i  os 'iWi^rV'    Pierre,  Rapid  City  &  North  Western  Ry 167.27 

=     --"'"":o,to.0     Wyoming  &  North 'Western  Ry 147.63 

Total 9.655.88 


i  INDICATES  DOUBLE  TRACK 


MAP  OF  THE  CHICAGO  &  NORTH  WESTERN  SYSTEM  — 1908. 


1 


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